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The Packers finally pulled the trigger on a first-round receiver, nabbing Texas standout Matthew Golden with the 23rd pick. The dynamic pass-catcher brings true WR1 potential to a Green Bay offense that’s been searching for a dominant target to pair with Jordan Love.
Golden’s arrival creates an immediate logjam on the depth chart – and nobody feels the squeeze more than recent signee Mecole Hardman. The two-time Super Bowl champion joined Green Bay on a modest one-year deal worth $1.5 million with just $150K guaranteed. That’s pocket change in NFL terms, making him an easy cut candidate despite his championship pedigree.
Love hasn’t lacked options since taking over as QB1, but he’s been missing that go-to target who commands defensive attention. Golden should fill that void, but his presence creates a numbers game for guys like Hardman.
Speed Merchant Facing Uphill Battle
At 27, Hardman still possesses the blazing speed that made him a Pro Bowler as a rookie. The problem? His role has diminished significantly in recent seasons. During Kansas City’s championship run last year, he managed just 12 catches for 90 yards across 12 appearances.
The Chiefs increasingly used him on underneath routes rather than the vertical shots that made him dangerous early in his career.
His production tells the story – Hardman hasn’t topped 25 receptions in a season since 2021. While he brings special teams value as a returner, he likely signed with the Packers hoping for a larger offensive role. Golden’s selection effectively slams that door shut.
When you look at what Golden brings to the table, it’s easy to see why Green Bay invested a first-rounder in him. After transferring from Houston to Texas for his junior season, he quickly became Quinn Ewers’ favorite deep threat – hauling in 58 passes for 987 yards and 9 touchdowns while averaging an impressive 17.0 yards per catch.
Golden’s measurables (5-foot-11, 191 pounds) align perfectly with his playing style. He creates separation downfield and shows explosive ability after the catch – traits that should pair beautifully with Love’s powerful arm. He’s not just a speedster; he’s a complete receiver who can work all three levels of the field.
The overlap between Hardman and Golden is impossible to ignore. Both are built to take the top off defenses and create explosive plays, but Golden will do it as the centerpiece of Matt LaFleur’s passing attack – not as a situational deep threat.
For Hardman, the timing couldn’t be worse. When he signed that contract in Green Bay, he couldn’t have predicted the team would finally end their 22-year drought of first-round receivers. Now the two-time champion finds himself potentially looking for his third team in three seasons with training camp approaching.
The NFL can be brutal that way – one day you’re catching passes in the Super Bowl, the next you’re fighting just to make a roster. Hardman’s championship experience might still earn him a spot, but Golden’s arrival means he’s squarely on the bubble heading into summer workouts.
