The NFL combine is a time for teams to take a closer look at prospects that are looking to get drafted. While the combine does help improve draft stock, as well as brings it down, it isn’t the ultimate deciding factor. For example, Chase Claypool had a fantastic combine performance but his career in the NFL has not worked out.
Then you have someone like Tom Brady, who was a nobody at one point and was just going through the motions at the combine, and is now considered the greatest of all time. It’s all about what truly happens on the football field.
At the same time, the combine does give scouts and general managers a better idea of who they could be bringing to their team come next month. One player that stood out within the wide receiver group was Matthew Golden out of Texas.
We have yet another Texas receiver who ran the fastest 40-yard dash for the second consecutive time. Last year it was Xavier Worthy (4.21 which is the current record), and it’s Golden who ran a 4.29. He definitely caught the attention of a lot of people and is now making his way up onto first-round mock drafts, including Ryan Wilson’s of CBS Sports.
Bills land WR Matthew Golden at No. 30 in latest CBS Sports mock draft
It’s no secret that the Buffalo Bills are going to need to bring in a receiver as they are (as of right) set to lose Amari Cooper and Mack Hollins in free agency. They did manage to extend Khalil Shakir, and Keon Coleman is heading into his second year with the Bills. If Matthew Golden somehow slips down to the Bills’ No. 30 overall pick, Brandon Beane would have to have a very solid argument to not draft him immediately.
"Explosive is the best one-word description for Matthew Golden, who reminded me a lot of Jordan Addison coming out of USC."Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports
Golden has the upside to become a team’s WR1, but it depends on where he lands. If the Bills manage to draft Golden, whether it’s at No. 30 or if they trade up, he can instantly compete to be the team’s x-option in the offense. Even though Shakir just got paid, he’s not the guy that will be outside the numbers. He’s a slot receiver who serves as the perfect security blanket.
While it’s still important to give Coleman another chance to show what he can be, he’s not going to take the top off of the defense like Golden would. Speed is something that the Bills need to try and add this offseason. They had the chance to do it in last year’s draft with Xavier Worthy. Instead, they traded the pick to the Chiefs who would then take Worthy. Let’s not make that mistake again, Beane.