The Los Angeles Chargers fan base has been pounding the table for a speedy receiver since the beginning of the Justin Herbert era. In the interim, the team has drafted Quentin Johnston and his 4.5+ forty time and ousted the outsized contracts of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.
Kudos to the new regime for adding Ladd McConkey in last year’s draft, but if there is one big takeaway from the Chargers 2024 offense — it is the need for far more fire power.
In his new mock draft for Pro Football Focus, Mason Cameron seeks a bold solution to assuage the eager fan base.
16. *TRADE* Los Angeles Chargers: WR Matthew Golden, Texas
Trade terms: Chargers receive Pick No. 16; Cardinals receive Pick Nos. 22, 86, and 181
“As I’ve previously written, the Chargers will need to get aggressive if they hope to fill their need at pass catcher with a talent that moves the needle. Here, they take the leap and jump the Seahawks and Broncos for a wide receiver. Golden lit up the NFL Scouting Combine, showcasing breakneck speed (4.29-second 40-yard dash) to pair with his impressive control as a route runner and 89th-percentile PFF grade versus single coverage.”
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranks Golden as the 4th best wide receiver and 27th best prospect in the 2025 class, writing “After two promising seasons in Houston’s Air Raid scheme, Golden was an underrated addition for the Longhorns in 2024 — and proved especially valuable when it mattered most, averaging 102.8 receiving yards over the final four games (SEC championship and three College Football Playoff games). Fluid in his releases and breaks, he shows a plan as a route runner, and I love his ability to break down corners by keeping his eyes, hips and feet in sync.”
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