In 1936 the NFL held its first draft. Two Buckeyes were selected and thus began the 80 year relationship of Ohio State providing talented players to the NFL machine. This series will break down all eight NFL divisions and the teams that drafted the 416 Ohio State players. 

New articles will be released on Tuesdays and Fridays through April 26th. 

ICYMI
AFC SOUTH

NFC SOUTH

Teams in the NFC South have selected 31 Buckeyes. 6 of the 31 were first round picks. Tampa Bay is the only team in the NFC South not to select a Buckeye in the first round. 

New Orleans Saints
The Saints rank first in the NFC South and rank 13th all-time with 14 Ohio State draft picks. The first Buckeye selected by the Saints was running back Jim Otis in 1970. The last Ohio State player drafted by New Orleans was safety Vonn Bell in 2016. 

Highest selected player
Guard Kurt Schumacher was the 12th pick of the 1975 NFL Draft. Schumacher played three seasons with the Saints (1975-1977) and one with the Buccaneers (1978). He started in 13 of the 45 games he played in. 

Michael Thomas and Vonn Bell were selected by the Saints in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Thomas made plays in the Superdome as a Buckeye. Now he gets to do it as member of the New Orleans Saints.

Atlanta Falcons
Since 1974 Atlanta has selected 10 Buckeyes and ranks second in the NFC North and ranks 17th all-time. Linebacker Vic Koegel became the first Buckeye to get drafted by the Falcons in 1974. In 2007 center Doug Datish became latest Ohio State player drafted by Atlanta.

Highest selected player
WR Michael Jenkins was selected 29th in the 2004 NFL Draft. Jenkins caught 354 passes for 4,827 yards and 25 touchdowns during his NFL career (2004-2012). He played for the Falcons (2004-2010) and the Minnesota Vikings (2011-2012).

Carolina Panthers
Carolina is No. 3 in the NFC North and ranks 26th all-time with 4 Ohio State draft picks. The first Buckeye selected by Carolina was linebacker/defensive end Matt Finkes in 1997. The last Ohio State player drafted by the Panthers was defensive back Nate Salley in 2006. 

Highest selected player
CB Chris Gamble was the 28th selection of the 2004 NFL Draft. Gamble played his entire nine-year career with the Panthers. His rookie season his six interceptions tied for the most in the NFC. Gamble finished his career with Carolina franchise record 27 interceptions. He returned two of the interceptions back for touchdowns. Gamble finished his career with 438 tackles, forced four fumbles and had a sack.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers have only drafted three Ohio State players. That puts Tampa Bay last in the NFS South and 28th all-time for Buckeyes drafted. Linebacker Aaron Brown became the first Buckeye to get drafted by Tampa Bay in 1978. In 2004 safety Will Allen became the latest Ohio State player drafted by the Bucs.

Highest selected player
Safety Will Allen was the 111th pick of the 2004 NFL Draft. The Huber Heights Wayne alum played six seasons for the Buccaneers. During his time with the Bucs Allen made 147 tackles, 4 interceptions and two forced fumbles. After the 2009 season Allen signed with the Steelers where he played through 2012. He then spent one season with the Cowboys before going back to Pittsburgh in 2014. Allen is still with the Steelers today. 

For his career Allen has recorded 298 tackles, 4 sacks, 7 interceptions and 7 forced fumbles. 

Only three Bucks have been drafted by the Bucs. Will Allen was the last in 2004. That was 12 years ago.