evan mathis.jpg

Guard Evan Mathis speaks at a press conference after signing with the Arizona Cardinals in March.

(Courtesy of the Arizona Cardinals)

The 55 former Alabama players on current NFL rosters range in experience from guard Evan Mathis, who's heading into his 12th NFL season, to 14 rookies trying to make it to their first pro campaign.

Most of the league's teams start OTAs (or Organized Team Activities) this week, the next phase of their offseason preparations for the 2016 campaign. NFL teams can have as many as 90 players on their rosters until Sept. 1, when they must reduce their active lists to 75.

The teams with the most former Alabama players are the Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans. The Bills have cornerback Javier Arenas, defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio and linebacker Reggie Ragland. The Titans have fullback Jalston Fowler, running back Derrick Henry, safety Rashad Johnson and guard Chance Warmack.

Twenty-six of the 32 teams have at least one Alabama player. The six without a former Crimson Tide standout are the Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Eleven of the Alabama players are offensive linemen, 10 are defensive linemen and 10 are defensive backs. There are eight linebackers, six running backs, five wide receivers, two quarterbacks, one tight end, one fullback and one long snapper.

In his first season with the Arizona Cardinals, Mathis will be playing in his 12th NFL season. Only one former Alabama player has appeared in more NFL seasons as an offensive lineman - Pro Football Hall of Famer John Hannah, who played 13 seasons for the New England Patriots.

The former Alabama players on NFL rosters include:

Atlanta Falcons: Julio Jones, wide receiver; Courtney Upshaw, outside linebacker.

Arizona Cardinals: Jake Coker, quarterback; Evan Mathis, guard; Ed Stinson, defensive tackle.

Baltimore Ravens: C.J. Mosley, inside linebacker; Trent Richardson, running back.

Buffalo Bills: Javier Arenas, cornerback; Marcell Dareus, defensive tackle; Cyrus Kouandjio, offensive tackle; Reggie Ragland, linebacker.

Carolina Panthers: Kevin Norwood, wide receiver.

Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, cornerback; AJ McCarron, quarterback.

Dallas Cowboys: Jerrell Harris, linebacker; Rolando McClain, linebacker.

Detroit Lions: Wallace Gilberry, defensive end; A'Shawn Robinson, defensive tackle.

Green Bay Packers: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, safety; Eddie Lacy, running back.

Houston Texans: Kareem Jackson, cornerback; Richard Mullaney, wide receiver; Jeoffrey Pagan, defensive end.

Indianapolis Colts: Ryan Kelly, center.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Carson Tinker, long snapper; T.J. Yeldon, running back.

Los Angeles Rams: Mark Barron, linebacker/safety; Jabriel Washington, defensive back.

Miami Dolphins: Kenyan Drake, running back; Anthony Steen, guard.

Minnesota Vikings: Austin Shepherd, offensive lineman; Andre Smith, offensive tackle.

New England Patriots: Dont'a Hightower, linebacker; Cyrus Jones, cornerback; Michael Williams, tight end.

New Orleans Saints: Mark Ingram, running back; Dillon Lee, linebacker; D.J. Pettway, defensive lineman.

New York Giants: Landon Collins, safety.

New York Jets: James Carpenter, guard; Dee Milliner, cornerback.

Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, wide receiver.

Philadelphia Eagles: Barrett Jones, center/guard.

San Diego Chargers: D.J. Fluker, guard; Damion Square, defensive tackle.

San Francisco 49ers: Quinton Dial, defensive tackle; Darren Lake, defensive lineman; DeAndrew White, wide receiver.

Seattle Seahawks: Jarran Reed, defensive tackle.

Tennessee Titans: Jalston Fowler, fullback; Derrick Henry, running back; Rashad Johnson, safety; Chance Warmack, guard.

Washington Redskins: Arie Kouandjio, guard; Geno Matias-Smith, safety.

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