Packers Score Big with Barryn Sorrell as Top Value Pick

Barryn Sorrell: A Missed Opportunity in the Draft

During the draft, I overlooked Texas edge defender Barryn Sorrell. He wasn’t among the top 100 prospects, ranking 21st among edge defenders, a position overtaken by players like Jared Ivey from Ole Miss, who ultimately went undrafted.

Growing Recognition

My awareness of Sorrell increased when fellow writer Ross Uglem from the Green Bay Packers began sharing highlight clips of him during draft week. It became evident that he was a formidable player.

The Scouting Oversight

Amid the rush to finalize scouting reports for the Packers’ draft visitors, I was unable to watch Sorrell’s complete game footage until recently. The NFL clearly made a mistake by not selecting him in the top 100, as evidenced by his attendance at the draft on Day 2, expecting to be chosen much earlier than the 124th pick.

The Role of Scouts

This situation isn’t uncommon. NFL coaches often depend on area scouts to highlight priority players for the draft. In deeper position classes, promising talents can be overlooked.

Evaluation Challenges

Imagine being a defensive coach just after the season; your only chance to meet players is at the combine. By then, your focus has shifted to evaluating free agents. Even when you finally turn to draft picks, you still juggle other responsibilities, making it easy for some players to go unnoticed.

Comparisons with Past Picks

Historically, similar instances occurred, like that of former Packers receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who was drafted in the fifth round despite impressive physical attributes. Coaches later regretted not being alerted to his potential.

Sorrell’s Potential

Based on Sorrell’s film, I anticipate that NFL coaches will wonder why they didn’t hear about him sooner. He has impressive measurements and performance metrics, aligning him with notable players who succeeded in the NFL. Though he has areas to improve, a player of his caliber shouldn’t have slipped to the fourth round. His on-field performance shows promise and his physical strength, while occasionally inconsistent, suggests strong potential for development.