Rondé Barber: Bucs Can’t Turn Down Matthew Golden
April 22nd, 2025
Firepower!
The Bucs rolled up 29.5 points per game last season and scared the pants off defensive coordinators.
So what will the offense look like with Chris Godwin returning from injury and the Bucs adding a stud receiver in Round 1 of the draft?
Keep calm. The draft is two days away. No picks have been made However, Buccaneers icon Rondé Barber, a guy who collects a paycheck from the Bucs for his work on the team website and is a personal friend of general manager Jason Licht, says he would put money on the Bucs drafting a receiver if he’s available.
That would be Texas Longhorns receiver Matthew Golden.
Golden is 5-11, 191 pounds and he ran that eye-popping 4.29-second 40 yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. More important, speed is just one of his positive traits. Golden had 58 catches for 987 yards and 9 touchdowns last year after two seasons at the University of Houston. He’s got proven kick-return ability, too.
“The only position I think they would maybe surprise you at is wide receiver,” Barber said of the Bucs today on The Rondé Barber Show via WFLA-TV.
“I’m just saying, if there’s a guy sitting there at No. 19, like perhaps a guy like Matthew Golden from Texas, I bet you the Bucs can’t turn him down. I think it’s [Chris] Godwin insurance, it’s Mike Evans being in Year 12. … At some point, you know, that guy that’s going to replace those two needs to be on your roster and he probably shouldn’t be a rookie when he replaces him.”
Barber was not lobbying for Golden, only emphasizing that if he’s the “value guy” on the Bucs’ board at No. 19, Barber doesn’t think the Bucs would hesitate.
A few things is certain if the Bucs draft Golden: Baker Mayfield would have a giant smile on his face, the Bucs would have a shot at the best offense in team history, and the preseason just got a lot more interesting.
April 22nd, 2025 at 4:30 pm
Could maybe add picks and make this happen — Schefter also alluded that Rachaad White could be traded this weekend due to his expiring rookie contract. I doubt that happens especially in a deep draft at RB, but it’s something to keep on eye on. The Cowboys were interested in him at the deadline last year…
April 22nd, 2025 at 4:36 pm
HE’S NOT WRONG
April 22nd, 2025 at 4:37 pm
The Cowboys were interested in White at Jerry’s House last year and saw what he could do under pressure. Not good.
April 22nd, 2025 at 4:49 pm
I think there are teams below the Bucs that value Wide Receiver more.
Now for the conspiracy theory part!!
This may be Ronde’s attempt to help out the team but getting one of those teams who pick in the 20’s to move up to the Bucs 19 spot and throw the Bucs an extra 3rd rounder.
April 22nd, 2025 at 5:07 pm
I am seeing a bunch of final release mocks with McMillan dropping to the Bucs at 19. I believe if McMillan is there at 19 Bucs will snag him. Cowboys love Golden and that is where he goes.
April 22nd, 2025 at 5:15 pm
Baker’s success is the team success. Help Baker bake with Matthew Golden added to the fold. I’m all for it, but doubt it happens.
April 22nd, 2025 at 5:18 pm
I can see Ronde’s point if that kind of value is there at 19. It has been said the value in this draft is the second round on. If the Bucs believe they can get a Dt or edge guy in the second round and Golden is there , in Round 1. They may just do that. However, if they don’t pick up some new starters on that D line the offense better score a ton of points cause the defense is going to give up a ton without new personnel on defense. While we all love David facts are Father Time has started to arise. I think they need to play him wisely next year and begin to limit his snaps. However ,to do that they need people that thy currently don’t have.
April 22nd, 2025 at 5:22 pm
No WR in this draft unless in 5-7 rds. Remember, new OC, and we have talent in Devin Culp…. can be converted to WR with his speed and hands. Same measurables as ME13. This draft is for Defense. Go Bucs…
April 22nd, 2025 at 5:22 pm
Bucsfan: Yes, McMillan is a combination between Evans and Godwin. I think a better fit than Golden. Baker, not the greatest at hitting the long ball. McMillan can make the tough catches, and is very durable, never missed a game in his college career.
April 22nd, 2025 at 5:39 pm
Would absolutely LOVE this! Would give us an offensive shock-wave weapon! Bait defenses into prepping for Mike & Chris underneath – then hit them with the home run ball. Wow!
April 22nd, 2025 at 5:50 pm
I say we draft Campbell if he’s healthy (Bucs will know everything about his surgery and recovery) and be done with it.
He’s a high octane, talented guy who just might be able to light a fire under his former Alabama teammate’s rear end (Braswell).
Grab a receiver in the later rounds and worry about Evans and Godwin’s replacement next year.
Reddick is nowhere near the guy to put the defense over the hump. If you want to advance in the playoffs you do it with defense, defense defense!
April 22nd, 2025 at 6:09 pm
Can any of these guys play Outside Corner? If the Bucs don’t get an Outside CB in the first 2 rounds, there’s a chance that they sabotaged their own season. We all know that Dean will miss several games with hurt feelings.
April 22nd, 2025 at 6:25 pm
I can see Ronde’s point too, but … WR won’t be what kills us in the playoffs. DEFENSE WILL. Bucs’ pick at #19 is precious … use it wisely. And ‘wisely’ is spelled DEFENSE this year.
April 22nd, 2025 at 7:04 pm
Golden would be hard to pass. Bucs need a speedy WR and a return guy, but i never lamented those points when watching games last year. However, the slop in the middle of the defense was mind-numbing. Campbell/Emmanwori. Wouldn’t mind Walker, Green, or Ez…good luck with that and why settle for DE4 when LB1/S1 are avaliable. Grant is a loafer and Collins is a day 2 guy. System and up front help will help CBs and Licht n Bowles have a good track record with CB later or evan UFAs
April 22nd, 2025 at 7:18 pm
Ya, what famURattler said
April 22nd, 2025 at 7:42 pm
If the Buc’s defence still can’t get off the field on 3rd and 4th downs this season, then their offense will need to put up 35 points on average to compete with the better teams
April 22nd, 2025 at 7:47 pm
I vote no on another speedy return guy..
Jalon Darden, Trey Palmer etc etc
Scotty Miller was a change of pace guy, but he had big drops too.. we need a certified blue chipper.. on Defense.
April 22nd, 2025 at 7:48 pm
What is wrong with you people advocating for a WR? Don’t believe there will be any good receivers in next year’s draft? Come on now! We need defense, defense, and more defense. If we can’t get opponents off the field on 3rd and 4th downs, what difference is another good receiver going to make?
April 22nd, 2025 at 7:59 pm
A speedster who has hands and can do it all would be great.
April 22nd, 2025 at 8:56 pm
Guys supposed to have the goods.
Blazing speed, good hands, route running, body control. If he can develope as quickly as J-Mac opposing defenses could be in a world of hurt facing us.
Hard to justify going offense with #19 with the number of defensive holes tho.
April 22nd, 2025 at 9:11 pm
A few things is certain? SMH. Cmon Joe!
I wouldn’t be mad at this pick especially after Irv pointing out the kickoff return importance after the rule change.
April 22nd, 2025 at 9:58 pm
Y’all are CRAZYYYYYYYYYY if you think Bucs gonna pick Golden for their 1st round pic 😂😂😂😂😂😂!!!!
This draft is gonna be all about DEFENSE!!!!!
Does sound like they looking at that TE from Bowling Green on day 3 though…Evidently this kid is a stud!! They met a him at the combine and had private interview w him….
Maybe grab a speedy WR in 6th round or something….
Not expecting to hear much at all on this position in the draft..
April 22nd, 2025 at 10:58 pm
Oh man, I hope le bucs don’t draft a short wr at 19 lol
April 22nd, 2025 at 11:01 pm
That’s why you don’tresign Chris.
So spend 20 plus when another mil more we could of had Devonte. Now invest a first for Chris insurance.
It’s like betting against yourself. I like Chris but resigning him will haunt us. He won’t be the same player. It’s a lot to ask of a player to coming back from two bad injuries in three years
April 22nd, 2025 at 11:20 pm
If they Draft another WR I will be shocked. Like everyone else has said this defense can’t get off the field. You know how many third and longs they gave up last year. Still think Bowles needs to go especially if the defense is garbage again this year.
April 22nd, 2025 at 11:50 pm
A new toy to replace our vets is decent line of thinking but to me it would be like drafting Trask round 2 when you are gunning for back to back SBs.
We want to win this year and with the weapons we already have… would sure like more defensive depth. We won’t win, unless Bowles gets some better players on D. Unless he actually has changed a bit, we will continue to see the offense play scared like Bowles and the D with the game in their hands… have not been up to it. Need some more DAWGs up front and in the secondary!
If Golden and Tet are best value, highest player on the board… can’t argue with that but same grade as guys on D that are still available… Licht knows what to do. A rookie WR still has at least Godwin and JMac under him next year, but I’m sure we still have our top 3 in 2026.
April 23rd, 2025 at 2:56 am
If we can’t get a corner we like at 19 or trade back for more picks, if we pick a wide receiver in the first round he better be a Amon-Ra St. Brown type receiver
April 23rd, 2025 at 3:38 am
“preseason just got a lot more interesting.”
Whoa!?
Interesting? Who are you and what have you done with Joe. 🙂
Ronde is good friends with the team. Its liars poker season too Joe. That means we trade down to the second round and draft a safety a corner and a LB.
April 23rd, 2025 at 6:04 am
I trust Ryan Miller and Rakim Jarrett to come back ripped and ready to rock.
I also think Kameron Johnson will come back angry and ready to work.
Palmer? His body hasn’t evolved in 2 years.
I’m disappointed in his physical growth.
He still has skinny legs and shaky knees.
He’s also petrified of getting hit.
Why do we always have horrible return men?
Remember Darden? He was a high school WR! Mickens was tough. But tiny.
Can we PLEASE find a returner who is not scared!?
I’m so tired of having returners who are small and scared!
April 23rd, 2025 at 6:20 am
Defense, Defense, Defense, Defense…..
April 23rd, 2025 at 6:47 am
Tet nor Golden will be there at 19. No need to even think about it.
April 23rd, 2025 at 7:43 am
By default the offense would score more points if they had the ball more often, better defense
April 23rd, 2025 at 11:33 am
Hey it could happen. Cheers to Jason (stirring my pre-draft Bloody Mary and yes I know the draft starts tomorrow night).
At least we know now that the head coach understands you have to score more points than the other team to win.
April 23rd, 2025 at 9:15 pm
Golden is a “can’t miss” pick and if he is somehow there at #19, the Bucs should pounce on him. I say this despite my fervent pleas that the Bucs should draft defense, defense and only defense. Golden is just too good to pass up!