It got to a point where Packers fans stopped even asking. First-round wide receiver? Yeah, right. Not since Javon Walker in 2002. In the 22 drafts that followed, Green Bay picked five offensive players in the first round—two quarterbacks, three linemen—and that was it. You could basically set your watch to them going defense or tackle. It wasn’t a pattern. It was a full-blown personality trait.
But let’s call it what it is. Sure, the Packers watched every promising wideout slip off the board in the first round. But that doesn’t mean they never had a top-tier receiving corps. Take Aaron Rodgers‘ era, for instance. Green Bay had Devante Adams, Jordy Nelson, and Randall Cobb. The trio was the cornerstone of the Packers’ O-line. But the post-Rodgers era? Well, they’ve got young receivers now. Why?
Nelson and Cobb already called it a career, and Adams left the town for LA. To spice things up, the Packers’ last season was marred by injury issues. And that means only one thing: ahead of the 2025 NFL draft, the Packers were expected to pick a receiver, or should we say that they were expected to break character after a little more than two decades. The result? They picked Texas WR Matthew Golden in 1st round, No. 23 overall. And now?
Well, the former Packers quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, shed light while sharing his thoughts on the Packers picking a WR in the draft last month. A couple of days ago, Rodgers engaged with his fans in Austin, where one of ’em asked the QB how he feels about the Packers drafting a wide receiver in the first round. Rodgers’ response?
Well, the four-time MVP first showed us a glimpse of his photographic memory and then made it clear that the Packers did pick some great receivers in the second or third rounds—if not in the first round. “Well, in my 18 years there, we picked three or four offensive players in the first round,” Rodgers started. “I’m counting myself in ’05. In 2010, we picked Brian Balaga, who played a big role for us at right tackle. In 2011, we picked Derek Sherrod, who got banged up and never really played. And in 2020, we picked J (Jordon) Love. The other years, we spent on defense.”
But amidst all this, the quarterback dropped some cold truth on how the folks out there might have forgotten that Green Bay picked some top-tier receivers in the second or third rounds. “But, um, people maybe forget how many great second-round receivers that we had, which I can name,” he added. “Greg Jennings, we had in 2007. We had James Jones in 2006, I believe, third round. Jordy Nelson, second round, top of the second round, 2008.” Someone’s missing? Definitely.
Somehow, Rodgers forgot his go-to guy during his Packers’ days. Yes, we’re talking about Devante Adams and someone from the crowd… well, reminded Aaron Rodgers. “Devonte Adams, thank you, 2014,” Rodgers said after someone yelled from the crowd. “So, we picked a lot of great players in the second round that I would say really panned out,” he concluded.
Long story short: the Packers surely didn’t include a promising receiver in their arsenal in the first round. But their second or third rounders? Yeah, they’re enough to complement Rodgers’ offense. But fast forward to now, Green Bay is now heading toward the 2025 campaign with first-round receiver Matthew Golden.
When the Packers picked a WR at 23 after 23 years, post-Aaron Rodgers era
Last month in Green Bay, when Mark Murphy announced in front of the home crowd that the Packers were drafting Matthew Golden at 23, you can argue that it was one of the most memorable moments for the Packers fans. We’re talking about a moment of the decade. Golden (5-11, 191) entered the NFL draft after recording 58 passes for 987 yards and nine TDs last season at Texas.
With a deep receiving corps in Green Bay, folks out there are speculating if Golden can lead his team over the top against the likes of the Vikings, Lions, and the Bears in the NFC North. Carmen Vitali of FOX Sports believes that “If he’s (Golden) treated like a true No. 1… you’re going to have to choose someone that Jordan Love can rely on. And if Matthew Golden can be that guy, live up to his draft position and all of that, I think that can go a long way.”
NFL, American Football Herren, USA NFC Wild Card Round-Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles Jan 12, 2025 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love 10 against the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC wild card game at Lincoln Financial Field. Philadelphia Lincoln Financial Field Pennsylvania USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xEricxHartlinex 20250112_eh_se7_01769
The silver lining for the Packers in the last season was that they made it to the playoffs despite a season that was marred by quarterback injuries and the receiving corps… well, let’s just say they’re kind of a mixed bag. Jayden Reed had a great sophomore season, but the rest of the crew? Well, they were promising as well, but the injuries and some off-field concerns made surprise cameos.
Like, Christian Watson suffering a non-contact injury in his right knee and missing the playoffs. Or like Romeo Doubs‘ concussion and a one-game suspension. Having that all being said, the Packers including another Matthew Golden in their arsenal makes sense, no wonder. But it also adds depth to their receiving corp.
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