The Bears were actually able to pull off a successful trade to move up in the second round, moving from the 62nd pick up to pick # 53 to select Oregon State defensive tackle Stephen Paea. The Bears used pick #127, their 4th round pick that was supposed to go to the Ravens in their botched Round 1 trade and packaged it with #62 to move up and get another player ranked very highly on their board and very highly among many mock draftniks. I guess the Bears figured they were playing with house money, so why not parlay it into something big. The 6’1″ 303 lb. Paea should compete immediately to start at the 3-technique spot that’s been lacking punch for years.
"“It is like I [said], a blessing to play with guys I see on TV. They of course are veterans, All-Pro defensive end and All-Pro linebackers. Being surround with players like them, great players like them, it just made it easier for me to do my job. Coming into the organization of this scheme that they have [of playing a] 4-3, I would play nose tackle or three technique, either one. I would be successful knowing that I played the tackle scheme before.”"
Paea is a strong SOB, setting the Combine record for putting up 225 lbs 49 times. Damn, that’s strong. Check out a highlight reel after the jump:
This is a GREAT pick for the Bears. Many mock drafts had him going late in the 1st round, possibly even going to the Bears at #29. If you consider that they got Carimi AND Paea, as a Bears fan, youv’e got to be thrilled. Their two biggest needs have been addressed with the top two picks. What do you think? Should the Bears have gone a different route with this pick? More O-line help?