Next Man Up: Barryn Sorrell has a Great Opportunity Ahead
There is a real opening for Packers edge rushers as Green Bay awaits the return of Micah Parsons
By Luke Leavitt
Barryn Sorrell is one of the most intriguing swing‑factor players on Green Bay’s roster this season. The timing of his emergence couldn’t be more important. With Micah Parsons expected to remain on the PUP list until roughly Week 5, the Packers need a disruptive presence to stabilize the pass‑rush rotation. Sorrell, a high‑motor edge with a reputation for violent hands and relentless pursuit, has a real chance to be that guy.
Green Bay built its defense this offseason around the idea of pairing Parsons with a deep, flexible front. Which they have certainly done, with interior addition such as Javon Hargrave, developing Lukas Van Ness, and retaining players like Devonte Wyatt.
But with Parsons sidelined, the Packers lose not just a premier pass rusher, they lose the gravitational force that dictates protections. Someone must step into the chaos‑creator role, even if only temporarily.
That’s where Sorrell enters the conversation.
Sorrell’s University of Texas tape showed a defender who thrives on effort, leverage, and timing. He’s not a pure speed rusher, but he consistently collapses pockets by converting speed to power and staying disciplined with his rush lanes. In a defense that values versatility and controlled aggression, he fits the mold.
With Parsons likely unavailable until Week 5, Green Bay faces matchups where pressure will be essential, especially against offenses that get the ball out quickly. Sorrell doesn’t need to be Parsons; he just needs to be disruptive enough to prevent offenses from ignoring the Packers’ edges.
If he can generate even 3–4 meaningful pressures per game, he changes how opponents block Green Bay. That alone could tilt early‑season outcomes.
Sorrell’s path to playing time is clearer than ever. He’ll get real snaps, real responsibility, and real chances to prove he belongs in the rotation even after Parsons returns.
And if he delivers? Green Bay suddenly has a deeper, more unpredictable pass‑rush unit — one that can rotate Parsons, Sorrell, Lukas Van Ness, and hopefully rookie Dani Dennis-Sutton to stay fresh deep into games.
Already being led by Micah Parsons through offseason training. If Sorrell can tap into what Green Bay saw of him coming out of college, as well as put to use learning from one of the best, watch out.
Sorrell doesn’t need to be a star. He just needs to provide a spark and contribute while Green Bay awaits their X factor on defense. Although in doing so, Sorrell may be making the most of an opportunity that leads him to eventual stardom.
Who’s taking the biggest step up in 2026 for the Green Bay Packers? My guy is Barryn Sorrell! #gopackgo pic.twitter.com/RPDzFxOE27
— Angry Mike! NFL 🧀 (@angrymike23) July 2, 2026
Barryn Sorrell got a sack in his first career game (fighting through a clear hold) pic.twitter.com/IggJbG1dzG
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) September 12, 2025
#Packers rookie Barryn Sorrell flashed some nice hand usage in his preseason debut. pic.twitter.com/3ybKBBQBls
— Brandon Carwile (@BCarwile_NFL) August 11, 2025
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Luke Leavitt is a Contributor for Cheesehead TV, covering the Green Bay Packers. A Manchester by the Sea, Massachussetts native, Luke is a lifelong Packer fan, and 16-year shareholder. Keep up with Luke on X @LukeLeavitt7
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Comments (5)
Leatherhead
July 05, 2026 at 09:41 am
There isn't a lot of NFL film on Sorrell, but if you dig a little you can see some examples of him looking like he might be an NFL OLB/DE/Edge. I'm optimistic that he can help at one of the OLB spots.
We use a four man rotation with about a 60-40 or 65-35 split. Yes, if you have a great player like Parsons, you want him on the field all the time, but you need to rest him a little or he'll wear out during the season. VanNess is going to be one starter, and you could back him up with Sorrell. That would make one spot solid. The other spot,until Parsons returns, is going to be largely "by committee" and will include Oliver, DDS, and somebody like Cox or Mosby. Lots of rumors/stories about us getting a legit NFL vet for that spot via trade.
IF we could get at least 15 games out of Sorrell, with about 25-30 defensive snaps and some special teams, that'd be a pretty good contribution.
Coldworld
July 05, 2026 at 10:20 am
Sorrell is something of an outlier. He’s not fast, he’s not huge (250) and he doesn’t have elite explosion. He’s also got arms too short for the classic DE/OLB paradigm. If you look at how he plays, he unusual because those short arms are actually something he’s made into his strength.
He’s not really a speed to power type at all. He’s not a bend around the outside or pirouette type. Your own film actually shows where he wins. It is by fast, technically adept and powerful use of those short arms to knock back and move the OL. Then he is surprisingly fluid for a man his size. Again, one can see this in your clips as he flows off after winning with his hands. He also has a high motor and it never stops so he doesn’t relent.
It doesn’t always work. If an OL can get to his chest with longer reach he can be thwarted or if they have balance and quick enough feet he can be walled off. However, he’s also very tenacious in the run game. He’s not a pure rusher. He’s a guy who represents a different threat to a Parsons or a speed/power type and he’s a guy that will hold his edge and make tackles if run on, using those hands to get release.
I liked the Sorrell pick. I think he can be a very good 3rd OLB. I don’t think he’s ever going to be a sack leader, but I do think he will get sacks and can play more on run downs than most. I look at him as an 8-10 sack core rotational piece in the making, particularly if he’s paired with a speed rusher who flushes QBs regularly. He could also benefit from Hargraves and McClellan types penetrating inside.
Sorrell regularly gets into the backfield and can turn and bend, but he’s seldom the fastest there, as illustrated. He’s a guy who will thrive on cleanup in collapsing pockets. He doesn’t run past plays often. I do not think he and Van Ness are an ideal pairing though. I think Gannon will split them up more in more pass oriented scenarios as camp progresses.
dobber
July 05, 2026 at 11:13 am
"He’s a guy who will thrive on cleanup in collapsing pockets. "
I see Sorrell in particular as being the kind of pass rusher who would benefit from having a healthy Wyatt playing next to Hargrave inside generating quick pressure. Based on history and reputation, absent Parsons, the only "quick win" guy they have on edge in their pass rush stable seems to be Oliver, so finding variety might be a little harder.
dobber
July 05, 2026 at 11:08 am
I think the Packers will miss Enagbare: he's a solid DE/OLB who can play run downs and can get some push in pass rush, but will never be a dynamic sack artist. As a 5th round pick, he's probably already outplayed his draft status, and will play a while in the league.
Sorrell looks like an Enagbare replacement on paper...not quite as long, but with a little more burst and motor. I'll take the burst and motor, though. Sorrell became a fan favorite when he came to the draft in GB. He seems genuine and likeable, and as the article says--he'll get an opportunity to be a regular. I think his primary competition for snaps will be Brenton Cox but the Packers like to rotate their ends so the opportunity to play a lot and make a difference for those guys while Parsons recovers will be there, which is the path to snaps after Parsons gets back, too.
Cox is in his RFA year and I don't see him being back in '27: either he will play well and price himself out of town, or he'll struggle with availability and not be retained. I don't see much in between.
splitpea1
July 05, 2026 at 11:21 am
I think it's an opportunity for all the young edges, and we should get a chance to see all of them in the first few games. That includes DDS, who can also force fumbles: seven of them in his college career. Impact plays are what this defense needs more of, not just on the front end, but INTs with the secondary.