Earlier today, SportsSource Analytics released a map with the intention of tracking what parts of the country have produced the most first-round NFL Draft picks over the last decade.
A geographic look at first round draft picks over the last decade. pic.twitter.com/cBcHBktYUL
— SportSourceAnalytics (@SportSourceA) April 23, 2016
What is SportsSource Analytics, you may ask? According to their website:
SportSource Analytics is a sports-focused analytics company dedicated to enabling better decisions with better data through the use of customized platforms and services.
The "better data" portion of that description is certainly up for debate. The image fails to show a single Buckeye drafted from the state of Ohio during that time period. The 2006 Draft alone saw four native Ohioans selected in the first round, but this "analytic" device decided to overlook Centerville's A.J. Hawk and Nick Mangold, Cleveland's Donte Whitner, and Lancaster's Bobby Carpenter. Santonio Holmes, who hails from Belle Glade, Florida, did make an appearance on the map.
A pair of Cleveland wideouts – Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez – were selected at No. 9 and No. 32 in the 2007 NFL Draft. Akron's Chris "Beanie" Wells was selected 31st overall in 2009. However, according to this particular "sports-focused analytics company," none of that ever happened.
So what about other Buckeye Draft picks from outside the state of Ohio? You won't be finding them either. Vernon Gholston (Detroit, MI) was taken with the sixth pick in the 2008 Draft. Malcolm Jenkins (East Orange, NJ) was selected by the New Orleans Saints with the 14th pick in the 2009 Draft. A pair from Peachtree Ridge High School (Suwanee, Georgia) are also missing. Cameron Heyward was selected by the Steelers with the 31st pick in the 2011 Draft while Bradley Roby was taken by the Broncos in 2014.
The Buckeyes aren't the only Big Ten team that should feel a bit slighted. Michigan State's Trae Waynes (Kenosha, WI) was selected 11th overall in the 2015 NFL Draft. He too is nowhere to be found.
Woof.
Source: @SportSourceA
