Speed is a valuable commodity in the NFL. Now-former Texas receiver Matthew Golden ran a 4.29 40-yard dash at last month's NFL Scouting Combine, that effort following a campaign with the Longhorns in which he piled up 987 receiving yards and nine touchdown grabs.
In a mock draft posted by CBS Sports' Kyle Stackpole on Friday, Golden climbs the draft board to be taken by the Dallas Cowboys with the No. 12 overall pick.
"CeeDee Lamb is great, but he can't do it all for the Cowboys passing game," Stackpole wrote. "Matthew Golden gives Dallas a speedy, technical wideout who will get open for Dak Prescott."
Lamb paced America's Team in receiving by far last season. He totaled 1,194 receiving yards and six touchdown catches on 101 receptions. He was targeted 152 times, 66 more than the next-nearest pass-catcher.
Stackpole's scouting report of Matthew Golden praises his versatility and burst. Adding him to new head coach Brian Schottenheimer's offense could open things up for Lamb, who was given a four-year, $136 million contract extension last August.
"His speed plays best on the vertical route tree, where he excels on double moves," Stackpole said of Golden. "While not the sharpest route runner in change-of-direction situations, he's far from stiff; he just lacks ideal flexibility.
"Golden showcases strong body control and can make difficult sideline grabs outside his frame. He has quick feet to beat press coverage but lacks the strength to consistently fight through contact. After the catch, he's more of a straight-line runner than an elusive playmaker, getting north-south efficiently but lacking lateral wiggle and contact balance."
Related: Matthew Golden's NFL Draft Stock on Rise After Surprise at Combine
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This story was originally published March 14, 2025 at 10:52 PM.