Oklahoma State Cowboys in the NFL

The National Football League employs 1,696 professional football players. As a fantasy football player I only care about thirty of them. However, as a Cowboy fan I care about twenty of them; eighteen players to be exact. The best way to do this is to go in alphabetical order.

Dan Bailey (Dallas) - Bailey will once again be the starting kicker for Dallas this upcoming season. Last year he made 28/30 FG's and hit all of his extra points.

Justin Blackmon (Jaguars) - Blackmon is an Oklahoma State legend, unfortunately his success in the NFL has been hindered by issues off the field. He was arrested once again this past offseason and is currently "suspended indefinitely".

Dez Bryant (Cowboys) - Dez Bryant is probably the most well known Cowboy in the NFL. He is arguably the second best WR in all of football hauling in 93 passes and 13 TD's last season in Dallas. Expect a big year from Bryant since he is now in a contract season.

Perrish Cox (49ers) - After moving between Seattle and San Francisco last year it appears that Cox has finally settled into a roster spot in San Fran. Don't expect to see him on the field much though.

Justin Gilbert (Browns) - Gilbert was selected eighth overall by Cleveland in April's draft. Despite the high pick it doesn't look like Gilbert will start at CB for the Browns. He struggled as lockdown corner this preseason but will get his shot when the time is right. Hopefully Gilbert can do some of this in the NFL down the road.

Corey Hilliard (Lions) - Entering his seventh year in the league the former Cowboy tackle is fighting for the starting job in Detroit.

Kendall Hunter (49ers) - Everything looked good for the former Cowboy halfback until early last month when Hunter tore his ACL during training camp. He has been placed on the IR list and won't be playing any time soon.

Charlie Johnson (Vikings) - Johnson will be playing his eighth season in the league this year. He is the projected starter at LG for the Vikings this season.

Orie Lemon (Cowboys) - The former Cowboy linebacker from Houston now plays ball in Dallas. He won't see much playing time but that doesn't take away from having the best name on this list.

Russell Okung (Seahawks) - Okung is coming off a season in which his team won the Super Bowl. He will start at LT for the defending champions and will be tasked with defending Russell Wilson.

Tyler Patmon (Cowboys) - After a bleak outlook about a month ago Patmon actually made the roster in Dallas. He will be a backup in Dallas this upcoming season.

Brandon Pettigrew (Lions) - Pettigrew has become an established player in Detroit with Stafford throwing him the ball. He caught two touchdown passes last year and looks to improve on that number this year.

Joe Randle (Cowboys) - Randle is entering his second season in Dallas and has been fighting for the backup role all preseason. It appears that Randle will be getting some carries in the high powered Dallas offense as the season progresses.

Antonio Smith (Raiders) - The Ninja Assassin enters his tenth season in the NFL and his first with the Oakland Raiders. He will start DT for the Raiders this season and will look to have another solid year anchoring a defense.

Josh Stewart (Titans) - Stewart is a curious case. He left after last season to enter early and ended up going undrafted. He was picked up by the Titans and then suffered a major injury and was waived by Tennessee. But no one picked him up off waivers and he was placed on IR.

Lane Taylor (Packers) - Taylor enters his second season in Green Bay as the the backup guard for the Packers. He played in ten games last season.

Brandon Weeden (Cowboys) - Mr. OSU was signed by Dallas after a few miserable years in Cleveland and appears to be fitting in well behind Romo. Weeden played well this preseason and would certainly be the starter in Dallas if Tony Romo went down with injury.

Kevin Williams (Seahawks) - After ten seasons in Minnesota and five pro bowls, Williams signed with Seattle this past offseason and will look to help improve the best defense in football.

The season starts on Thursday night so make sure you keep up with all of your favorite former Cowboys as they enjoy success in the NFL.