Beneath the high-wattage spotlights of the NFL Combine, a new star has stormed into the 2024 draft conversation: Matthew Golden. Once lauded as ‘the guy’ in Texas, Golden’s jaw-dropping 4.29-second dash in the 40-yard made him the fastest wide receiver at this year’s combine—and a potentially game-changing prospect that’s turning heads all the way to Buffalo. As rumors swirl about Golden’s fit with the Bills, the question lingers: is this electrifying speedster the missing piece to supercharge Josh Allen’s offense?

Buffalo Bills discuss their draft options at the NFL Combine.

Bills General Manager Brandon Beane has fielded constant questions this offseason about upgrading the team’s wide receiver speed. Yet, Beane remains circumspect, stopping short of calling speed an absolute necessity. “Our offense did pretty good last year,” Beane insisted during the NFL owners’ meetings, highlighting record-setting scoring (525 points) without a true speed merchant in the receiver corps. Indeed, the Bills’ offense, led by MVP quarterback Josh Allen, has thrived, with new addition Josh Palmer further bolstering a versatile receiving lineup.

But the NFL Draft is a realm of intrigue and possibility. With defensive priorities at tackle and cornerback, few expect the Bills to gamble on a first-round receiver. Still, Matthew Golden’s meteoric rise—rocketing from a projected late second-rounder to a consensus top-20 pick—may tempt the team to reconsider. Golden’s blend of outrageous speed and nuanced route running has mock draft experts buzzing, and his exemplary meeting with Buffalo’s brass at the combine did little to tamp down speculation. “It was good, just going over the concepts and the type of way they run the offense,” Golden said of his Bills interview. “Obviously, playing with Josh Allen … it’d be cool.”

Tracing Golden’s collegiate journey helps explain the hype. He initially built his reputation at Houston, snagging 76 catches for 988 yards and 13 touchdowns. In 2024, his transfer to Texas led him past hyped rivals—most notably Isaiah Bond—and into the WR1 role for a Playoff-bound Longhorns squad. Golden racked up 58 receptions, 987 yards, and nine touchdowns, proving especially lethal on ‘post’ and ‘go’ routes—key ingredients for unlocking Buffalo’s vertical game. “I can change my tempo, my speeds and be able to snap down and come back to the quarterback. I can stretch the field vertically. I also like to be in the run game. I take a lot of pride in blocking,” says Golden, capturing the versatility that modern offenses covet.

Draft analysts offer chorus-like praise. Joe DeLeone of Pro Football Network deems Golden “the most well-rounded receiver prospect,” capable of carving out a significant NFL role due to his route-running excellence and athletic gifts. While ESPN’s Mel Kiper notes occasional drops, he lauds Golden’s steady performance as Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers’ go-to target. “He was the man. To put together the type of year he had solidifies him, in my opinion, as a borderline first-round pick.”

Still, the numbers game complicates the picture. The Cowboys (No. 12), Chargers (No. 22), and Rams (No. 26) seem likelier homes unless Buffalo trades up. “We’re always gonna look, you know that,” coach Sean McDermott offers, noting Buffalo’s offensive continuity but keeping the door open for a dynamic new weapon.

As the draft approaches, Golden’s stock is white-hot, and the Bills’ fanbase watches with anticipation. Would his raw speed unlock new levels for an already potent Buffalo attack? Or is the franchise destined to address needs elsewhere, leaving Golden’s talents to dazzle for another team?

What do you think—should the Bills make a bold move to land Matthew Golden, or stay the course with their current offensive blueprint? Leave your thoughts in the comments, and join the debate as the draft drama unfolds!