Packers utterly screwed Lions in NFL Draft without even realizing it

The Green Bay Packers won over the hometown fans by finally drafting a first-round wide receiver, and the Matthew Golden pick continues to look even better.

He will make an undeniable impact in Matt LaFleur's offense. Beyond his 4.29 speed, Golden is a smooth route-runner and can make plays in the short and intermediate passing games. It won't be long before Golden becomes Jordan Love's go-to target, especially when the Packers go deep.

As the dust settles on an incredible draft in Green Bay, it becomes easier to reflect on the class as a whole.

The division-rival Detroit Lions spent all weekend making questionable decisions, including passing on several talented pass-rushers in favor of run-stopping defensive lineman Tyleik Williams and not finding Aidan Hutchinson some help until late on Day 3.

Their biggest head-scratcher came in the third round, and the Packers might be partly (or a lot) responsible.

Packers' Matthew Golden pick forced Lions into panic mode at wide receiver

The Packers selected Golden five picks before the Lions hit the clock. Detroit had hosted the Texas star for a pre-draft visit, with many believing he could become Jameson Williams' long-term replacement.

Albert Breer of The MMQB noted before the draft that "some in NFL circles" believed the Lions could trade Williams.

The Lions' actions after the Packers picked Golden were telling.

On Friday morning, Detroit picked up Williams' fifth-year option and then, in Round 3, moved heaven and earth to trade up for Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa. The Lions sent a fourth and two 2026 third-rounders in a dramatic overpay to reach for a wide receiver many believed would go far later.

The consensus board had TeSlaa ranked 168th — the Lions traded up to take him 70th overall.

Detroit hosted only two wide receivers for pre-draft visits: Golden and TeSlaa.

Green Bay has had its share of problems trying to beat Detroit in recent seasons. The Lions have become the class of the NFC North and swept the Packers in 2024. They have talked trash while doing so — even their team president — making this a little sweeter.

Would the Lions have drafted Golden in the first round? We may never know. However, Gutekunst loved Golden so much that he turned down multiple trade-down offers, and the Lions' panic moves following the pick may tell us everything we need to know.