ALLEN PARK — Matthew Golden is an electric playmaker who is widely expected to go in the first round of this month’s NFL draft.
The Texas wide receiver had 987 yards and nine touchdowns last season, then posted a 4.29-second-40-yard dash, the fastest time among receivers and second-fastest among all combine invitees.
And the Detroit Lions wanted to know more, hosting Golden on a pre-draft visit over the weekend, per NFL Network. The Lions have Pick 28 in Round 1. Golden falling wouldn’t be an out-of-this-world all-time surprise, but he is commonly mocked well before that spot.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper had Golden off the board at Pick 16 to the Arizona Cardinals in his most recent mock draft. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah ranked Golden 16th among prospects, sending the Texas wide receiver to the Dallas Cowboys at Pick 12 in his latest mock.
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The Lions have things better than most teams at wide receiver. Amon-Ra St. Brown is a back-to-back first-team All-Pro with three straight seasons of 100-plus catches, more than 1,000 yards and at least six touchdowns. Jameson Williams is a special playmaker who flashed his potential last year, hitting 1,000 yards for the first time in his three-year career.
They also have Kalif Raymond and Tim Patrick back at receiver to round out the receiver rotation.
However, the Lions have said they would love to add some youth to the position, and Williams has two years left of team control on his rookie deal once the fifth-year option is exercised, as expected.
“Look, he was a tremendous player for us last year,” Lions general manager Brad Holmes said at NFL owners meetings. “He’s still scratching the surface. I do think he’s got more in him as well. So I just think it just makes sense for us to do what we can to keep him around.”
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Things could get interesting, though, with the Lions well aware of how expensive wide receivers of Williams’ caliber and ability can get. It’s a tricky situation with so many extensions on the horizon, not to mention some of the potential risks that come along with Williams.
Aidan Hutchinson and Kerby Joseph are expected to land big-time extensions. Hutchinson has proven himself as one of the game’s elite pass rushers and rising defensive stars. Joseph is fresh off a first-team All-Pro bid where he led the NFL with 10 interceptions.
But bills are about to come due for running back Jahmyr Gibbs, linebacker Jack Campbell, tight end Sam LaPorta and defensive back Brian Branch, so long-term thoughts must be had with every move.
Williams is a lethal playmaker. He turned 58 receptions into 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns last season, adding another 61 yards and one score on the ground. However, of those potential extensions, with his two suspensions in three seasons, Williams is the riskiest option.
“We’re still taking it as it goes, with his fifth-year option coming, it’s looking likely we’ll go ahead and just pick that up,” Holmes said. “In terms of extensions, again, there’s a lot of extensions that are, hopefully, coming.
“It’s just one that you don’t know what’s going to happen from a financial standpoint because a wide receiver — it’s expensive. Very expensive.”
Golden would add another explosive playmaker to the offensive while boosting the room for the future in case tough decisions have to be made. Wide receiver has continued to be a sneaky need in the draft, and while visits are expected to check boxes and learn more, this is one of the more interesting pairings to come down the wire.
