Levi Goes at #5

With the first three rounds of the NFL Draft now concluded, all but one of the eligible Nittany Lions have been selected and one made the top five.

Hulking offensive tackle Levi Brown was selected fifth overall by the Arizona Cardinals. He was not initially expected to be picked that high, but circumstances forced Arizona to pull the trigger. They had wanted Joe Thomas of Wisconsin, the best OT in the draft, but Cleveland, picking third, snatched him up. That left Arizona no choice, with a pressing need to protect quarterback Matt Leinart and to give some running room to Edgerrin James. Levi will do a good job for the Cardinals, although it remains to be seen how good his pass protection will be against the NFL’s fast, strong edge rushers. I guess Levi wasn’t expecting to be picked so high, because he was not present at the Radio City Music Hall extravaganza. Neither was Joe Thomas, who had decided to spend the day fishing with his dad.

I suppose it is somewhat of a disappointment that Paul Posluszny had to wait for the second round. That Orange Bowl injury cost him dearly. Buffalo got him with the second pick in the second round, #34 overall. Buffalo has a bit of a history with Penn State linebackers, having been the NFL stomping grounds for Shane Conlan.

Defensive lineman Jay Alford and RB Tony Hunt were both selected late in the third round. Alford is going to the Big Apple with the Giants; Hunt will be at the other end of the Jersey Turnpike in Philly.

Odd man out at this point is Tim Shaw, who remains unselected as of the end of the third round. It is likely that he will be taken today, being a linebacker from Linebacker U. There is a small chance that he could wind up being Mr. Irrelevant, which would be something to write about.

Update: Shaw was selected late in the fifth round by the Carolina Panthers.