Bears may have already found a role for rookie Jordan van den Berg

A couple of weeks later, the question may no longer be whether van den Berg makes the team. It might be how big a role he'll have when the regular season begins.

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer came away impressed with the rookie defensive tackle after getting an up-close look at Bears training camp, identifying van den Berg as one of the reasons Chicago suddenly feels better about its depth along the defensive front.

"What has stood out to the staff here is the newfound depth at the position, and part of that is the emergence of sixth-round pick Jordan van den Berg, who grew up as a rugby player in South Africa before moving to the U.S and picking up football," Breer wrote. "He ... seems to have already earned himself a role on the defensive front."

Van Den Berg becoming a Chicago Bears Training Camp Star

The former Georgia Tech defensive tackle has already worked his way into reps with Chicago's starters during inside-run periods and has flashed his power during one-on-one pass-rush drills. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler previously reported that the Bears have "big plans" for van den Berg and that the rookie tested exceptionally well in Chicago's pre-draft scouting system.

Now Breer is hearing that van den Berg may have already carved out a role.

Grady Jarrett is entering the latter stages of his career, while Gervon Dexter remains an important part of Chicago's plans on the interior. Finding another young defensive tackle capable of contributing immediately would give Dennis Allen significantly more flexibility with his rotation while providing the Bears with another potential long-term piece up front.

Van den Berg's path to this point makes his rapid rise even more interesting.

He grew up playing rugby in South Africa before moving to the United States and eventually developing into an NFL prospect at Georgia Tech. Now, just months after hearing his name called in the sixth round, he's apparently doing enough to convince the Bears coaching staff that he belongs in their defensive-line rotation.

There's still a long way to go before Week 1, and van den Berg hasn't played an NFL regular-season snap. But Day 3 picks aren't supposed to establish themselves this quickly.

If Breer's observation is any indication, the Bears may have found much more than a developmental defensive tackle with their sixth-round pick.