NFL analyst mocks Steve Smith's preferred No. 1 WR to Panthers

Carolina predicted to make shocking pick at No. 8.

Texas Longhorns wide receiver Matthew Golden (2) walks the field ahead of the game as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semi-final at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Jan. 10, 2025. | Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The 2025 NFL Draft is just one week away, and the feeling around the league is that the Carolina Panthers will do one of two things: trade back or take the best defensive player available at No. 8.

There has been some chatter that Carolina could be interested in adding another weapon for Bryce Young, with Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan being the most popular name being linked. Taking McMillan wouldn't be a huge shock, considering the Panthers could use some help at receiver and he's considered by most to be WR1 in this class.

A move that would certainly turn heads is passing up on McMillan and instead taking another receiver, Texas's Matthew Golden, at No. 8. Adam Rank of NFL.com recently projected that scenario to play out in his latest mock draft.

"I was all ready to deliver a defensive lineman right here, and it would have made a ton of sense. But I couldn't resist upgrading the receiving options (Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette and Adam Thielen) for Bryce Young. When I watched Golden play, I saw Chris Olave in his game, and this would be your chance to get your own version of the Saints WR1. This isn't just me talking as a fantasy goof; the state of the offense is so important to keeping Young on the right track. And I’m going with the receiver that Steve Smith Sr. prefers."

Matthew Golden is a twitchy, explosive route runner, with sharp stems that instantly create separation, and the requisite strong hands and body control to match.

He's weirdly getting faded BECAUSE of his 4.29 speed.

His production was low. That's Texas / Ewers.

He's legit. pic.twitter.com/gLtdHkWXrm

— Dynasty Zoltan (@DynastyZoltanFF) April 10, 2025

Golden began his career at Houston, where he caught 76 passes for 988 yards and 13 touchdowns. He nearly equaled that production in his lone season at Texas, hauling in 58 receptions for 987 yards and nine scores.

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