Chicago moves up in the sixth round to add Georgia Tech defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg, sending two seventh-rounders to Buffalo.
The Bears finally made a concrete move on their defensive line, trading up to secure Georgia Tech defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg in the sixth round.
Chicago made the decision Saturday by moving to the No.. 213 overall pick and landing van den Berg, while sending both of its seventh-round selections—Nos.. 239 and 241—to the Bills to complete the deal.. The team would otherwise be finished with its draft selections unless it pulls in additional picks through a future trade.
For the Bears, the message is straightforward: they’re looking for more traction in the trenches.. Even with the roster’s needs layered in—protection, coverage, depth—defensive line play remains a foundation.. It’s the kind of area where small improvements can change how an entire defense performs. from forcing hurried throws to creating cleaner lanes for linebackers.
Van den Berg arrives with a résumé built through different stops in college football.. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, he moved to the U.S.. at age 10 and started his college career as a walk-on at Iowa Western.. He later transferred to Penn State and eventually to Georgia Tech. where he produced last season with 44 tackles and 11 tackles for loss.. The mix of pathways also matters in the NFL scouting process: players who have had to earn their role often adapt quickly to new demands.
But the Bears’ need comes with a reality check—there’s already established talent in front of him on the depth chart.. Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter are the starting defensive tackles. and behind them is a group that includes veteran Neville Gallimore and others.. That means van den Berg may not step into a starting role right away. even though the draft investment signals the organization believes he can contribute.
What the trade says about Chicago’s defensive plan
There’s also the competitive side of roster-building.. Chicago doesn’t have unlimited snaps to hand out. and every defensive tackle is fighting for leverage—whether it’s playing time on early downs. more aggressive matchups. or rotational reps.. A trade up can be a bet that the player’s development curve is worth the extra cost. especially if the Bears believe they can keep him progressing alongside established starters.
From a team identity standpoint. it’s a way to keep the standard high in a division where quarterback pressure and disciplined defensive fronts can swing outcomes.. Even when a rookie doesn’t start immediately. a draft pick can still change the team’s ceiling if it tightens the rotation and improves performance in key moments.
Where van den Berg fits—and what he must prove
Last season’s numbers—44 tackles and 11 tackles for loss—point to a player who can penetrate and disrupt. traits that can earn a coach’s trust.. Still, the transition from college schemes to the NFL is rarely linear.. Defensive tackles are asked to do more than one job: occupy blockers. collapse pockets. hold up on run fits. and still be ready for sudden changes in assignments.
If he can convert his disruptive ability into reliable gap control and pass-rush versatility. he gives Chicago another option beyond its current starters.. That matters in games where opponents try to manage defensive pressure by leaning on the run or by sliding protection toward areas where they expect the Bears to be most vulnerable.
Bears’ 2026 draft class so far
Their draft class so far includes: Round 1 (No.. 25 overall) Dillon Thieneman from Oregon; Round 2 (No.. 57 overall) Logan Jones from Iowa; Round 3 (No.. 69 overall) Sam Roush from Stanford; Round 3 (No.. 89 overall) Zavion Thomas from LSU; Round 4 (No.. 124 overall) Malik Muhammad from Texas; Round 5 (No.. 166 overall) Keyshaun Elliott from Arizona State; and Round 6 (No.. 213 overall) Jordan van den Berg from Georgia Tech.
For fans. the overall takeaway is that the Bears are putting resources into multiple parts of the roster rather than betting everything on one side of the ball.. But the van den Berg trade-up is the clearest signal that the defensive line remains a priority—an area where young players can grow into roles that define late-game matchups.
As the offseason moves forward. the next step will be how quickly van den Berg adapts and how Chicago uses him in the rotation.. One pick can’t fix everything at once. but if the Bears get even modest improvement from the interior. it can ripple outward—making the secondary’s job easier and turning pressure into outcomes.. For a team trying to build a stronger identity, that’s exactly why this move matters now.