From Zach Tom to Rasheed Walker to Carrington Valentine, Gutekunst has consistently struck gold in the mid-to-late rounds. One week into the preseason, it looks like the Packers have hit the jackpot again.
Defensive end Barryn Sorrell didn’t just have the coolest entrance of the entire 2025 NFL Draft, but he is quickly becoming the biggest steal of any selection made that weekend.
Packers may have landed the steal of the draft in edge-rusher Barryn Sorrell
Sorrell is going to make an impact this season, there’s no doubt about that. Many believed Matthew Golden’s college teammate would exceed expectations as a fourth-round pick, but he may become the steal of the entire draft.
The preseason opener became a night to forget for many Packers players, but Sorrell maximized his opportunities. His stock is soaring after playing a starring role on defense.
Green Bay didn’t record a sack in the game, but Sorrell came close. Pro Football Focus credited him with two quarterback hits and two pressures to earn a team-best pass rush grade of 87.9. He made it look easy at times.
Preseason isn’t the be-all and end-all, of course, especially once the backups are in. Sorrell will face far tougher challenges against starting offensive lines each week in the regular season. But the early signs are there. He has flashed potential throughout training camp and carried that into his first Packers game.
On one play, he pushed Jets tackle Max Mitchell aside with ease before delivering a hit on quarterback Brady Cook a split second after he released the ball. Again, it’s much tougher to replicate that against starters, but it’s a promising performance to build on.
Perhaps the most exciting part is how much he has impressed the coaching staff. They constantly talk about his tireless work ethic and his effort on the practice field. That’s how he will reach the next level.
Sorrell won’t start from Day 1, but it’s only a matter of time before he’s a key piece of the Packers’ pass-rush rotation.
There’s a reason why Gutekunst has expressed such confidence in the defensive front and didn’t feel the need to sign a veteran pass-rusher. Sorrell never should’ve fallen to the fourth round, and he may prove to be the steal of the entire draft.
