NFL's Most Athletic Defensive Tackle In 39 Years Visits Packers After Combine Snub

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Jordan van den Berg, a defensive tackle prospect from Georgia Tech, scored a perfect 10.00 Relative Athletic Score, a feat matched by only one other player in the last 39 years. Despite his elite athletic testing numbers, van den Berg was not invited to the NFL Combine. The Green Bay Packers have taken notice and have scheduled a visit with the prospect as they look to bolster their defensive line.

Why it matters

The NFL Combine invitation process relies on subjective scouting consensus rather than raw metrics, which has led to van den Berg being overlooked despite his exceptional athletic abilities. This case highlights how the current scouting system can miss out on talented prospects who may not fit the traditional mold. The Packers, with their need for interior defensive linemen, could potentially land a generational athlete at a discount price if they decide to draft van den Berg.

The details

Van den Berg's college career path, which included stops at Iowa Western Community College and Penn State before transferring to Georgia Tech, may have contributed to the scouting blind spots that led to his Combine snub. Scouts focused on his limited pass-rush production and graded him as a 'Pure Backup,' despite his dominant testing numbers. The Packers, who hold picks 52 and 84 in the upcoming draft, could land van den Berg without spending premium capital, as he is currently projected as a late-round pick.

• Van den Berg was named First-Team Academic All-America in January 2026.
• Van den Berg's pro day numbers and Packers visit were published by SI.com in early April 2026, just a week before the draft.

What’s next

The Packers will have to decide whether to select van den Berg with one of their Day 2 picks, as his stock is likely to continue rising leading up to the draft.