National Football League

Bears nab Paea in second round

Published Apr. 30, 2011 1:50 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Chicago Bears made a move to upgrade their defensive line in the second round of the NFL draft.

The Bears traded with the Washington Redskins on Friday night to move up from No. 62 to No. 53 and select defensive tackle Stephen Paea of Oregon State. The Redskins also get the Bears' fourth-round pick, No. 127 overall.

The 6-foot-1, 295-pound Paea was an All-American last for the Beavers. He had 14 sacks and nine forced fumbles during his career.

Chicago is looking for help on the defensive front after releasing former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Tommie Harris. Paea said he can play nose guard or tackle.

Paea was a standout rugby player who was born on the island of Vav'u within the Tongan Island chain. He initially attended Snow (Utah) Community College before going to Oregon State, where he started 37 of 38 games for the Beavers.

Paea suffered a torn meniscus in his knee during practice for the Senior Bowl in January and needed arthroscopic surgery, but said Friday night he's 100 percent. He bench pressed 225 pounds 49 times at the NFL combine.

''I'm ready to go,'' Paea said, adding he was blessed to be chosen by the Bears at such a high pick.

''They said I'm the right defensive player for them and their scheme. It only takes one team to love me. ... The Chicago Bears are playing the same type of defense I love and that's an attacking defense.''

Last season the Bears made it to the NFC championship game where they were beaten by the eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers. The Bears' defense finished third in offensive points allowed (256), tied for third in takeaways (35) and second in rushing defense (90 yards per game).

Now they have another potential contributor.

Paea was a force for the Beavers last season when he caused four fumbles, had 45 tackles, made six sacks and was credited with 11 stops behind the line of scrimmage.

In the first round, with the 29th overall pick on Thursday, the Bears beefed up their offensive line with Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi.