Addressing a major need in the 2025 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers doubled up on edge rushers, selecting Barryn Sorrell from the University of Texas and Collin Oliver from Oklahoma State.
After another year of disappointing play from the edge, specifically in the run game, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said he felt it necessary to pick up both Sorrell and Oliver to secure the edges.
“I think both of those guys can contribute,” said Gutekunst. “But again, we will see. You know, those guys come into the National Football League and it is a whole different ball game, but I think those guys can compete.”
Over the past six years in the NFL draft, Green Bay has spent a tremendous amount of capital, as well as free agent signings, on pass rushers. Today, that boils down to a room with names like Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, Brenton Cox Jr., Aaron Mosby, Sorrell, Oliver and Deslin Alexandre.
Given the premium capital that was spent on Gary and Van Ness, it is foolish to think that those two will not get a majority of the starting snaps when the season comes around.
That does not mean that Sorrell and Oliver will totally be excluded from the game plan, though. With Gutekunst drafting two edge rushers, it is obvious that it is a need that will require immediate production from the two drafted rookies, realistically in a rotational role.
Sorrell seems likely to be the front-runner to receive those minutes, given that he was drafted first between the two.
During his four seasons at Texas, Sorrell was fairly productive, totaling 15.5 sacks and 132 combined tackles. Standing at 6-3 and weighing 260 pounds, Sorrell, while on the smaller side relative to other edge rushers in the NFL, possesses great speed and the ability to slip and slide around defenders. Given Gary’s injury history, it seems likely that Sorrell will be at the top of the list to spell Gary in rushing situations.
“I am just excited to fit wherever I need to be here,” said Sorrell.
Following Sorrell in the draft selection process was Oliver. During his time at Oklahoma State, he totaled 23.5 sacks and 134 combined tackles. His college career was highlighted by his freshman season, in which he led the entire Big 12 in sacks at 11.5. His numbers did take a dip, especially in his senior season as a foot injury limited him to just two games.
When looking at Oliver, the first thing that stands out about him is his athleticism. That athleticism has allowed him to use his speed in an unpredictable manner to get after the quarterback.
Standing at 6-2 and weighing 240 pounds, Oliver provides an ability to to stand up in the defensive back field as a linebacker off of the ball, as well as putting his hand in the ground and getting after the passer.
“I am here to play ball and do whatever the coaches ask of me,” said Oliver, on where he will line up. “That is the only reason that I am here, and that is what I am going to do while I am here. Wherever they see me play, I am going to play that position. I don’t really care what it is. I don’t know what it is, but it is going to be a position and I am going to play it to the best of my ability.”
With the improved play of Enagbare since he was drafted, it seems likely that unless Oliver sees a dramatic performance through training camp and the preseason, his minutes as an edge rusher may be limited. With his ability to stand up though, using Oliver as a linebacker should not be out of the question.
With question marks surrounding players like Gary, Van Ness and Quay Walker heading into this season, stocking up on edge certainly gives the Packers a contingency plan, should something dramatic take place between now and the draft in 2026.
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