Matthew Golden (toe) returns to practice

Jordan Love couldn’t get the deep ball going in this game, resulting in Golden’s worst game of the season by catches and yards. For fantasy purposes, a two-yard score in the second quarter made the quiet day a non-issue. Golden still led the team in targets, tied with Tucker Kraft, so the usage was as strong as ever. He is working his way into the WR2 ranks ahead of his Week 5 matchup with the Bears.

It took Golden deep into the fourth quarter of Week 3 of his sophomore campaign to notch his first regular season touchdown, doing so by making a nice adjustment on a ball thrown behind him on a slant in the red zone. Golden leads the Packers with 30 targets through three games and should continue to bring weekly WR3 production, with upside for WR2 output, while operating as the X-type receiver in a Matt LaFleur offense. Increasing those chances is an offensive line that ranks as one of the worst units in the league that is paired with the absence of Josh Jacobs to bring zero run game support to Jordan Love and the Packers, making increased weekly pass volume something we’re likely to see carry forward in the immediate future. Golden is an upside WR2 ahead of a Week 4 matchup against the pass-funnel Buccaneers.

Golden ran a route on 32 of the team’s 34 dropbacks and was the target on a few deep passes that led to pass interference penalties. This was not an efficient passing day for the Packers’ offense, but it was nice to see Golden be such a huge part of it. With Jayden Reed (neck) getting hurt in this game and Tucker Kraft still not seemingly playing at 100 percent, Golden is the clear second target in this offense. He could be in for a big game against the Falcons in Week 3.

As expected, Golden ran the bulk of the routes from an outside alignment and was much more involved compared to his rookie season. Christian Watson stole the show with 147 yards and two scores, but Golden comfortably led the team in targets. Four of his targets came on the Packers’ final drive while they were down by 17 points, but even his numbers before that were impressive. As the training camp reports indicated, Golden made massive strides during the offseason. Golden might not be the team’s target-leader every week, but he’s in the WR3 mix for the Packers’ Week 2 date with the Jets.

Prior reports indicated that the Packers’ coaching staff realized that their frequent wide receiver rotation was rubbing their stars the wrong way, prompting a positional personnel churn this offseason. LaFleur’s comments confirm the Packers’ starting wide receiver trio is going to play a lot, and fantasy managers should take note. Watson played extremely well in his recent from an ACL tear last year. If that play carries over, he is a shoo-in WR2 with substantial upside. Golden could be in for a Year 2 leap, and Reed could reliably return FLEX value, or better, if his snap share is high enough.

Reed played 7-of-9 snaps on the first drive before calling it a night. He was in the slot for all seven snaps. Reed snagged a 19-yard pass via a post route from the slot on 3rd-and-5. He was targeted again on a corner route just outside the end zone on 3rd-and-4 from the Steelers’ 19-yar4d line, but the pass was broken up. Packers WR Matthew Golden led the first-team offense with nine snaps.

Although a potential, albeit brief, matchup against Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers is intriguing, the Packers’ wide receiver rotation is the real reason to tune in. Packers WR Christian Watson should be the team’s top target earner this season, and Love said WR Matthew Golden is set to assume X-receiver duties. Will slot WR Jayden Reed get to take snaps in two-receiver sets? That is to be determined.

No word yet on the severity, but we should get clarity on this at some point. Golden fared well at the Packers’ recent Family Night event, and according to QB Jordan Love, is set to assume the X-receiver role vacated by former Packers WR Romeo Doubs. Golden turned in a disappointing rookie season, but a second-year breakout is certainly possible, good health pending.

We know this is getting into the weeds, but Reed’s weekly range of outcomes will be somewhat dependent on his access to heavy personnel packages. Through three NFL seasons, Reed has taken just 31 snaps in 12 personnel, so even a mild increase would boost his target-earning opportunities. Packers QB Jordan Love confirmed that second-year WR Matthew Golden is replacing WR Romeo Doubs as the X-receiver when speaking with the media today, so Golden and Watson (Z-receiver) will likely take the majority of 12 personnel reps this season. If Reed can at least send Golden to the sideline for a decent share of those opportunities, his fantasy managers would stand to benefit.

Reed did end up playing with the first-team offense, at one point snagging back-to-back completions from QB Jordan Love. Golden disappointed as a rookie last year, posting a 29.361/0 receiving line. Reed went 19/207/1, but played in only seven games due to injury. Golden, a first-round pick from 2025, is getting his chance to earn a role in two-wide receiver sets opposite WR1 Christian Watson. Returning reliable FLEX value is difficult if one is limited to the WR3/slot role. If Reed is unable to beat out Golden in training camp, we could be looking at another volatile season from Reed. Golden’s outlook is tough to forecast, but getting on the field in heavy personnel packages would be positive.