Imagine a Texas lightning bolt—part Earl Campbell’s grit, part Nolan Ryan’s heat—zipping through college defenses like a Mustang on I-35. Now picture that bolt catching Jerry Jones’ eye. That’s Dallas’ new WR prospect…
Matthew Golden, the Longhorns’ 1,975-yard dynamo, who’s turning NFL scouts into hungry barbecue pitmasters. After lighting up Tampa Bay’s radar, Golden’s next stop? Dallas. The Cowboys’ war room might just have found their next Dez Bryant… if they play their cards right. According to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, Golden will meet the Cowboys on Thursday following a Tuesday visit with the Buccaneers.
The 6’1” receiver, who blazed a 4.29-second 40-yard dash at the Combine—fastest among WRs—has teams salivating. “I think Golden’s one of those guys who didn’t fully realize how good he could be until it started clicking. Once he tasted success, he just kept working,” a scouting director told Schultz. So, Golden’s stock is hotter than a jalapeño popper at a tailgate. Besides, Golden’s journey reads like a Friday Night Lights redemption arc.
After two solid years at Houston (76 catches, 13 TDs), he transferred to Texas in 2024 and erupted: 987 yards, nine touchdowns, and a knack for clutch plays. His 4th-and-13 overtime TD against Arizona State in the Peach Bowl? Pure theatre. “Big-game performer” isn’t just a label—it’s his brand. Meanwhile, Dallas is itching for a WR2 to pair with CeeDee Lamb.
Brandin Cooks’ 2023 fade left Dak Prescott craving another weapon. And there you have Golden, whose 17-yard average per catch screams deep threat. Besides, he seems to be a complete wideout. At No. 12 overall, Jerry Jones could snag Texas’ homegrown star to reignite America’s Team. The Cowboys’ WR corps is thinner than a slice of brisket at a family reunion. But Golden’s speed would stretch defenses, giving Lamb room to feast underneath.
Scouts rave about his tempo manipulation and elite ball tracking—traits that mirror Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison’s rookie toolkit. Plus, Texas-to-Dallas narratives write themselves. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay isn’t just window-shopping.
Matthew Golden’s lone star legacy and Tampa’s calculated gamble
Despite re-signing Chris Godwin and retaining Mike Evans, the Bucs hosted Golden, per his Instagram post featuring Evans and Godwin celebrating. Head coach Todd Bowles insists he’d “never bypass a very good offensive player,” even with defensive needs. “I would like to have some defensive players if that presented itself, but by no means will I bypass a very good offensive player just to satisfy my needs on defense,” he says. Golden’s dual-threat versatility—58 catches, two kick-return TDs at Houston—fits their score-first mantra.
The Bucs, picking 19th, face a tougher climb. Yet Golden’s Combine dominance (second-fastest overall time) and “natural leadership,” per Longhorns staff, align with their win-now ethos. Pairing him with Evans and Godwin would be like adding a nitro boost to Tom Brady’s old Ferrari—still sleek, suddenly explosive.
Golden’s rise mirrors Cowboys legend Michael Irvin’s in one way: both thrived when lights burned brightest. But Tampa’s interest proves his appeal transcends state lines. As April 25 nears, one question lingers: Will Golden’s sprint to stardom start in Dallas’ spotlight or Tampa’s sunset?
“Speed is the essence of war,” Sun Tzu once wrote. In today’s NFL, it’s the essence of the end zone. So, which GM will bet on Matthew Golden’s lightning to strike twice? Your move, Jerry and Jason.
The post 1,975-YD WR To Visit Jerry Jones’ Cowboys After Checking Out Tampa Bay Buccaneers appeared first on EssentiallySports.
