The Detroit Lions have built a dynamic offense filled with playmakers and may have their sights set on another explosive wide receiver this offseason.
Christian Booher of SI.com highlighted wide receivers the Lions could consider in each round of the NFL Draft, starting with one of the fastest prospects in this year’s class. He mentioned Texas wideout Matthew Golden as a first-round pick who could bring elite speed to Detroit’s offense.
Booher projected that the Lions could select Golden with the No. 28 overall pick but noted that his stock is rising after an impressive NFL Combine showing.
“He is incredibly fast, as evidenced by his 4.29 40-yard dash in Indianapolis. Additionally, he has exceptional footwork and can run any route within the route tree and has solid hands,” Booher wrote.
Golden’s skill set could be a major asset for the Lions and quarterback Jared Goff, who already benefits from Pro Bowl receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and a strong running back duo in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs.
Booher also pointed out Golden’s strong college production, with 58 catches for 987 yards and nine touchdowns in his final season at Texas.
“With some return ability also at his disposal, Golden could contribute at the NFL level in a number of ways,” Booher wrote. “If the Lions are looking to add another burner to their crop of wideouts, Golden is one of the best options available.”
Thanks to smart roster construction by general manager Brad Holmes, Detroit enters the NFL Draft with few glaring weaknesses. While some insiders expect them to use their first-round pick on a pass rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson, their well-rounded roster could allow them to target Golden instead.
The Lions already have a speedster in former first-round pick Jameson Williams but must make a decision about his future in Detroit. As Mark Inabinett of Al.com noted, Williams is entering the final season of his rookie contract, requiring a long-term decision from the team.
“Williams has one season remaining on his four-year, $17.462 million rookie contract. To keep Williams beyond the 2025 season, Detroit has three options available – a new contract before the current one ends, the franchise tag next offseason, or its fifth-year option,” Inabinett wrote.
Williams has displayed flashes of elite play and added a deep-threat element to Detroit’s offense but has also dealt with off-the-field issues, including suspensions for gambling and violating the league’s PED policy.
If the Lions draft Golden, they would have the chance to assess his rookie performance before deciding whether he could replace Williams or if they should negotiate a new deal to keep him in Detroit.