The opinions expressed in this article do not reflect those of the team.
Another draft is on the horizon, which means the Washington Commanders have another chance to improve their roster and get closer to competing for a championship.
The Commanders put themselves among the best teams in the league last season, going from 4-13 in 2023 to earning an appearance in the NFC Championship in head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters' first year leading the franchise. Although their season ended against the Philadelphia Eagles, they now have a clear foundation for the future with former No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels in the backfield.
Now, the Commanders are picking on the opposite end of the first round with the No. 29 overall selection. They got the most important piece last year with Daniels, but there are still several positions they need to address before the 2025 season begins.
In anticipation of that selection, Commanders.com will highlight one mock draft from a draft expert each week to delve into how that player, or players, would fit with Washington. This week, **we’re focusing on a mock draft from the NFL Network’s** **Charles Davis,** who has the Commanders adding to their offensive arsenal.
Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Golden only participated in one drill during the wide receivers' on-field workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine -- the 40-yard dash -- but it was enough to leave scouts with a positive impression of him. He ran a 4.29, which ranked behind Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston as the second-fastest of the combine.
"Sign me up for that," NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah said in the booth broadcast alongside Rich Eisen.
But there's more to Golden's game than just speed. He's a "do-it-all" receiver who succeeded on all three levels and at multiple spots on the field for the Longhorns during his college career. He proved himself as a bona fide playmaker, and Davis has him starting his professional career with the Burgundy & Gold.
"The Commanders' receiver room could be undergoing an enticing makeover, with the trade for Deebo Samuel being the first move," Davis wrote. "Golden would be a tremendous addition, fitting well alongside Samuel and WR1 Terry McLaurin."
Golden, a four-star recruit out of Klein Cain High School, spent two seasons at the University of Houston before transferring to Texas ahead of the 2024 season. He was a solid player during his two seasons with the Cougars, putting up 988 receiving yards in that span and leading the team with six receiving touchdowns in 2023 despite only playing in nine games because of a foot injury.
Golden took a jump when he transferred to Texas, setting career highs in receptions (58), yards (987) and touchdowns (9). He was at his best during the SEC Championship against Georgia and the College Football Playoff semifinal game against Arizona State. He caught a 28-yard, game-tying touchdown pass on a fourth-and-13 against the Sun Devils as part of a 149-yard game, making it the third-best performance by a Texas receiver since 2000.
The Longhorns' double-overtime win over Arizona State was the second-best performance of Golden's career, but it was common for quarterback Quinn Ewers to look his direction for a big play. Pro Football Focus gave Golden a grade of 96 on passes of at least 20 yards, but he isn't just a deep threat; he received 93 and 90.8 grades on intermediate and short routes as well.
"Golden works all three levels of the field with similar consistency and productivity," **NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in his evaluation of Golden.** "His route-running needs refinement, but he does a decent job of altering tempo and separating at break points. Golden has the ability to play all three receiver spots. He also has the agility and body control to turn near-misses into highlight catches."
Golden doesn't excel at getting yards after the catch, but he knows how to use his skill to get open. He caught 73.2% of his targets against zone coverage, receiving a grade of 70.1 from PFF. However, some of his best catches came against man coverage, like his one-handed touchdown grab against Vanderbilt a 35-yard catch on third-and-14 against Georgia in the SEC Championship.
"He's a terrific route runner who is smooth getting in and out of his breaks, and he has reliable hands," **wrote ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.** "Golden is a big-play receiver, too. He averaged over 20 yards per reception in nine different games last season. And with his 4.29 speed, he can beat just about anyone in a foot race."
The Commanders, who had the NFL's seventh-ranked offense in 2024 but ranked 17th in passing yards, have been searching for a No. 2 receiver to pair with Terry McLaurin. They had success in that at times with Noah Brown and Dyami Brown, but both players are set to be free agents this week. Even if they try to keep one or both players this offseason, it will still benefit them to have a long-term answer.
In some ways, Golden offers much of what the Commanders already have at receiver. He's a shorter (5-foot-11) and smaller (191 pounds) player who is quick with reliable hands and a knack for creating big plays. Aside from Noah Brown and Dyami Brown, that description matches several of the Commanders' receivers in 2024.
However, the Commanders, like several other NFL teams, are looking for more ways to manufacture explosive plays. Golden might not fit the mold of a conventional No. 2 receiver, but he could provide Washington's offense with the sparks they're looking for.
"Golden's starting-level traits and big leap forward as a go-to playmaker have him primed to become a productive catch-maker," Zierlein wrote, "with the potential to develop into a WR1 in the future."
