The Green Bay Packers made headlines during the NFL draft by selecting wide receiver Matthew Golden of Texas with their 23rd pick. This marked the first time since 2002 that the Packers utilized a first-round pick on a receiver, ending a long-standing tradition of avoiding this position in the early rounds. Mark Murphy, the team president, ignited excitement among fans at Lambeau Field who have long desired such a selection. Despite previous successes with second-round receivers, this draft choice signifies a notable shift in the Packers' draft strategy under general manager Gutekunst.
It's hard to say which was more stunning: the surreal sight of the NFL draft in the league's smallest city or the fact that the host Green Bay Packers broke a two-decade-plus streak of skipping on receivers in the first round. It was the first time since 2002 (with Javon Walker) that Green Bay used a first-round pick on a receiver.
For years, fans have pined for the Packers to take a receiver in the first round, but it's not as though the team ignored receivers early in the draft.
I will say this: In no time in my 20-some years within this organization, whether it was Ron or Ted, did I hear them talk about that as a philosophy.
Golden even took the podium and shouted: "Green Bay, it's time."
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