Green Bay Packers 4th Round Rookie Heralded As Steal Of The Draft

The Green Bay Packers’ front office has made a habit of unearthing underappreciated talent in the NFL Draft, and rookie Barryn Sorrell might be their latest gem. A fourth-round pick out of Texas, Sorrell has turned heads in training camp and delivered a standout performance in the Packers’ preseason opener against the New York Jets. It’s early, but the buzz is building—Sorrell could be the steal of the entire 2025 NFL Draft.

Here’s a closer look at Sorrell’s impressive week, why coaches are raving about him, and what his role on the team could look like as the season unfolds.

Green Bay Packers Barryn Sorrell: Preseason Debut

Though the Green Bay Packers fell short against the Jets in their preseason opener, Sorrell’s debut was nothing short of promising. Lining up on the defensive edge, the rookie flashed the explosiveness and technique that made him a standout for the Texas Longhorns in college.

Pro Football Focus gave Sorrell a team-best pass rush grade of 87.9 for the game, showcasing his ability to generate pressure. While Green Bay didn’t record a sack as a team, Sorrell came close on multiple occasions, recording two quarterback hits and two pressures. On one notable snap, he effortlessly tossed Jets tackle Max Mitchell aside before delivering a clean shot on quarterback Brady Cook, demonstrating a pass rush technique well beyond his years.

“He looked sharp out there—really sharp,” Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said after the game. “For a young guy stepping into this environment, his ability to impact the game with consistent pressure is what we want to see moving forward.”

The Work Ethic That Sets Him Apart

What has impressed coaches just as much as Sorrell’s on-field performance is his relentless effort and commitment to improvement. Practice reports continually highlight his hustle during drills and scrimmages. From chasing down plays to perfecting minor details in his technique, Sorrell has demonstrated the kind of mindset that coaches love to see in young players.

“He’s got a motor that doesn’t stop,” linebackers coach Sean Duggan said. “When you see a guy like Barryn putting in that level of effort, it elevates the whole group. That’s been his reputation since he arrived in Green Bay.”

That reputation has driven Sorrell to stand out during training camp and preseason, setting him apart despite a crowded defensive rotation.

Why Sorrell Is Being Dubbed a Steal

Draft analysts have been quick to call Sorrell one of the smartest picks of the 2025 Draft, though hindsight reveals just how much of a sleeper he was going in. Coming out of Texas, Sorrell had been productive at the collegiate level, showcasing a knack for disrupting plays in the backfield. However, concerns about his relatively modest size (6-foot-4, 255 pounds) for an every-down edge rusher caused him to slide to the fourth round.

It’s now becoming clear that those concerns were overstated.

General manager Brian Gutekunst, who has built a reputation for finding value in the mid-to-late rounds, once again seems to have struck gold. Sorrell’s early success highlights why many now believe that he should have gone much earlier in the draft.

“There’s zero reason he should’ve fallen that far,” said one AFC scout. “The Packers got a guy with Day 2 talent in the fourth round, and it won’t take long before he proves it.”

Eyes on the Future

The Packers’ philosophy of building through the draft has rarely been more evident than in their approach to Barryn Sorrell. With veteran leadership guiding him and coaches invested in his development, the rookie appears to be in a near-perfect situation to succeed.

For a team looking to solidify its defensive identity, finding a player like Sorrell is invaluable. His work ethic, playmaking ability, and high football IQ give him every chance of being a long-term cornerstone for Green Bay’s pass rush.

Final Thoughts

It’s far too early for definitive conclusions, but Barryn Sorrell’s introduction to the NFL has Green Bay Packers fans excited. His performance in camp and the preseason has already exceeded expectations, offering a tantalizing glimpse of what could be an immensely bright future.

If his current trajectory holds, Sorrell won’t just be a steal of the draft—he’ll be a key piece in the Packers’ ongoing pursuit of greatness.