Photo Credit: AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps
The Green Bay Packers aren’t rushing to redesign their playbook after drafting wide receivers Matthew Golden and Savion Williams, but head coach Matt LaFleur sees exciting possibilities ahead.
LaFleur didn’t make any major changes after rookie minicamp last weekend, but he and his staff have started thinking about how the two new receivers might fit into the offense.
“You always have an idea,” LaFleur said. “I think an important part of it as you’re going through the draft process is you want to have a vision for how you would potentially use somebody.
“That’s what you’re trying to communicate to our scouting department is: ‘Hey, here’s how we would envision using this guy.'”
Golden, a first-round pick, brings elite speed with a 4.29-second 40-yard dash. Williams, selected in the third round, stands 6-foot-4 and showed his versatility in college by lining up all over the field. Both players give the Packers more tools to work with as they build around quarterback Jordan Love.
LaFleur said coaches will have a better understanding once they work with the players day-to-day. “But ultimately, I think more of that’s determined after the fact,” he said. “When you get them in the building, you get to work with them on a daily basis, you see how fast they pick things up. Inevitably, there’s going to be something that’s going to surprise you in a positive light, that they do really well, that you’re like, ‘Oh shoot, maybe I didn’t recognize that, just off the tape.’ So I think it’s all about just that process of working together and kind of growing together.”
Golden and Williams Have History
Even before joining the Packers, Golden and Williams knew each other. When Golden visited TCU as a recruit, Williams hosted him. Golden later chose Houston before transferring to Texas, while Williams stayed at TCU.
“Trying to get the offense down together and just going through walkthroughs and stuff like that, it just feels like a full circle,” Golden said. “And to have somebody that I know, we gonna push each other each and every day. So, holding him accountable, he holding me accountable.”
They’re still figuring out what their roles will look like, but both believe they can make an impact together.
“I was thinking about that when I got drafted; it’s something that’s going to work,” Williams said. “I know it’s going to work, because I know the coach, he’s going to use us in the right way. So I know it’s going to work in the right way.”
Plenty of Competition, but New Skills Stand Out
The Packers already have a deep receiver group, including Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton, Malik Heath, and Mecole Hardman. But Watson is expected to miss the start of the season after tearing his ACL in the regular-season finale.
Golden might fill the speed gap left by Watson, though he’s not a direct replacement. At 5-foot-11 and 191 pounds, Golden is smaller than the 6-foot-4 Watson. But his speed could help the Packers in short-yardage situations and catch-and-run plays.
“You want to make sure that you’re giving Matt the flexibility to attack all different levels of the field, and I think a guy like Golden does that,” said Jon-Eric Sullivan. “He’s [got] speed, he can get vertical, he can beat you underneath, and he’s got tremendous ball skills and hands. So it’s just another weapon, and I think he fits really nice in the room with guys that we already have.”
Williams brings a different kind of versatility. He scored six rushing and six receiving touchdowns last season at TCU—making him the only FBS receiver in 2024 to do both. He averaged 6.3 yards per carry and took handoffs both as a running back and as a wildcat quarterback.
When asked how he can contribute early, Williams kept it simple: “Just get the ball in my hands quick.”
Next Steps for the Rookies
So far, the coaching staff hasn’t changed much after rookie minicamp. The one practice session focused on teaching pace and structure. No passes were thrown, and the receivers ran routes at slow speed.
The next chance for Golden and Williams to stand out will come during voluntary team activities (OTAs) when they practice alongside veterans.
“I think in terms of where that goes,” LaFleur said. “It’s going to happen organically over time.”
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This report used information from ESPN.
