Packers end crazy first-round WR drought with Matthew Golden pick that would've made Aaron Rodgers happy

Man, it had been a while.

The last time the Green Bay Packers drafted a wide receiver in the first round was 2002.

That is, until Thursday night, when the home crowd got to watch the Packers snap the drought.

With the No. 23 overall pick of the first round, Green Bay chose Matthew Golden, the wideout from Texas.

"It's a blessing," Golden said at the draft microphone before starting a "Green Bay on 3" chant.

SN's NFL DRAFT HQ: Live tracker | Pick-by-pick grades | Top 250 big board

Golden is the fastest receiver in the draft, having run a 4.29-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.

The 6-foot tall, 195-pound Golden began his college career at the University of Houston. He played two seasons for the Cougars, compiling 988 receiving yards in total.

He pretty much matched that in his lone season at Texas as the Longhorns made the College Football Playoff.

For the Longhorns, Golden had 58 catches for 987 yards and nine TDs. He averaged 17.0 yards per catch.

Golden's selection gives Jordan Love a true deep threat.

The Packers still have Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson and Jayden Reed, so it's a crowded receiver room.

They won't have to push Golden into heavy duty immediately if they don't want to, given their depth at the position.

But when Golden is ready, he'll get his chance. He has the draft pedigree of no Packers wideout in a long time. And the Green Bay hope is that Love and Golden can form an exquisite connection for years to come.

MORE NFL DRAFT:

• Browns' Travis Hunter trade mistake could be a generational error
• Steelers' Aaron Rodgers pursuit down to 2 outcomes after Shedeur Sanders choice
• Giants' Abdul Carter comparison to Micah Parsons makes sense for 3 reasons
• Panthers commit to Bryce Young with Tetairoa McMillan pick
• Browns draft Michigan star instead of Hunter
• Bears fail at Ashton Jeanty pursuit as Raiders draft next star RB
• Jets make unexciting pick at No. 7 instead of Tyler Warren
• Saints' Aaron Rodgers pursuit still alive after QB decision
• Bears just drafted Ben Johnson's new Sam LaPorta
• Cowboys draft pick Tyler Booker so excited, gives Roger Goodell huge bear hug
• Colts' Tyler Warren is biggest steal of NFL Draft first round
• Falcons' Jalon Walker draws comparison to Super Bowl hero
• Bengals draft Trey Hendrickson replacement with riskiest pick of first round
• Meet Grey Zabel, Seahawks new offensive lineman from NDSU
• Buccaneers draft Chris Godwin replacement in Emeka Egbuka
• Chargers' Najee Harris signing complicates Omarion Hampton draft pick