Imagine a Texas lightning bolt—part Earl Campbell’s grit, part Nolan Ryan’s heat—zipping through college defenses like a Mustang on I-35. Now, picture that bolt catching Jerry Jones’s potential weapon; That’s Dallas’ new WR prospect, Matthew Golden. The Longhorns’ 1,975-yard dynamo is catching the eagle-eyed NFL scouts’ attention, and after lighting up Tampa Bay’s radar, Golden’s next stop is Dallas. The Cowboys’ war room might just have found their next wide receiver if they play their cards right. You see, if he were to make Dallas his home, it could become a terrifying sight for opposing defenses, considering he would join the line led by CeeDee Lamb and be his ‘Robin’.

Golden’s 58 catches for 987 yards and nine touchdowns last season with Texas showcased his solid performance, but it was his 4.29 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine that indicated big future potential. Here’s the thing: Matthew Golden could be the first receiver to be drafted (with Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona) looking like another possibility), and Jones’ team has the 12th overall pick (and really need a receiver whom they can pair with Lamb). In the backdrop of this, there is a new piece of news. According to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, Golden will soon visit the Cowboys. He wrote in an Instagram post:

“Sources: Texas WR Matthew Golden is visiting the Cowboys on Thursday after meeting with the Bucs today. Golden ran a blazing 4.29 in the 40-yard dash, and people inside the Longhorns program rave about him — calling him a natural leader, consistent worker and a big-game performer.

“One college scouting director said: “I think Golden’s one of those guys who didn’t fully realize how good he could be until it started clicking. Once he tasted success, he just kept working”.” Clearly, Golden’s stock is hot right now. After two solid years at Houston (76 catches, 13 TDs), he transferred to Texas in 2024 and recorded big production numbers and a knack for clutch plays. His 4th-and-13 overtime TD against Arizona State in the Peach Bowl? Pure theatre. ‘Big-game performer’ isn’t just a label—it’s his brand now. But what else is happening in the background?

Reports suggest that Golden is the fourth WR who is expected to go to the Cowboys in the first round. Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona), Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State), and Luther Burden (Missouri) are also on the team’s visit list. And that right there is a big clue that a wide receiver might be their biggest priority during Draft day. What’s even more interesting is that so far, there aren’t any Day 2 WRs on their list on scheduled visits. But that’s not where things end for Golden. There’s more!

If he goes to Dallas, he could also be a fantasy football asset. Earlier this week, on Yahoo Fantasy Forecast, Matt Harmon and Daniel Jeremiah discussed just that, but it all depends on how Golden would fit into the team’s strategy.

There is more to the story, though. Brandin Cooks’s 2023 fade left Dak Prescott craving another weapon. And there you have Golden, whose 17-yard average per catch screams deep threat. Besides, he seems to be a complete wideout. At No. 12 overall, Jerry Jones could snag Texas’s homegrown star to reignite America’s Team and help their thin WR corps. Golden’s speed would stretch defenses, giving Lamb room to feast underneath.

Scouts rave about his tempo manipulation and elite ball tracking—traits that mirror Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison’s rookie toolkit. Plus, Texas-to-Dallas narratives write themselves. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay isn’t just window-shopping.

Matthew Golden’s lone star legacy and Tampa’s calculated gamble!

Despite re-signing Chris Godwin and retaining Mike Evans, the Bucs hosted Golden, per his Instagram post, featuring Evans and Godwin celebrating. Head coach Todd Bowles insisted earlier this week that he’d “never bypass a very good offensive player,” even with defensive needs. “I would like to have some defensive players if that presented itself, but by no means will I bypass a very good offensive player just to satisfy my needs on defense.

“We can figure out how to keep the score down, but you can’t figure out a way to keep scoring points, especially if your horses go down. You can never have enough horses on offense.”

The Bucs, picking 19th, face a tougher climb. Yet Golden’s Combine dominance (second-fastest overall time) and “natural leadership,” per Longhorns staff, align with their win-now ethos. Pairing him with Evans and Godwin would be a boost.

Golden’s rise mirrors Cowboys legend Michael Irvin’s in one way: Both thrived when lights burned brightest. But Tampa’s interest proves his appeal transcends state lines. As April 25 nears, one question lingers: Will Golden’s sprint to stardom start in Dallas’ spotlight or Tampa’s sunset?

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.