Chicago Bears make swap and take Oregon State DT Stephen Paea

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - The Chicago Bears moved to upgrade their defense with their two selections on Friday night in the NFL draft.

They worked a trade with the Washington Redskins to move from No. 62 to No. 53 and select defensive tackle Stephen Paea State of Oregon in the second round. Under the agreement, the Redskins also get the Bears fourth-round pick, No. 127 overall.

In the third round, Chicago grabbed safety Chris Conte of California resumed 93rd.

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

Chicago is looking for help on the defensive front after the release of former Pro Bowl defensive front Tommie Harris. Paea says he can play nose guard or fight against, and that versatility is attractive for the Bears.

Paea was a standout football player who was born on the island of Vav'u in the chain of Tonga Island. He first attended the Snow (Utah) Community College before going to Oregon State, where he started 37 of 38 games with the Beavers.

"If someone had told me when I arrived here from Tonga that I would be the 53rd pick of the draft, I laughed because I was expecting or at least the seventh round (a little) go to the NFL when I got here, "said Paea.

As to who in the NFL, it is similar to Paea chose the former Vikings star John Randle.

"I can not compare myself to him, but I like his style," Paea said. "About the same height and the ability to play."

Paea has suffered a torn meniscus in the knee during training for the Senior Cup in January and needed arthroscopic surgery, but said Friday night he is 100 percent. He bench pressed 225 pounds 49 times breathtaking in the NFL combine.