Colorado State University Athletics
#NextLevelRams: NFL Update Week 5
10/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Grant Larson
Athletics Communications
Colorado State is represented by eight former Rams on current NFL rosters, and one player, Garrett Grayson, on the New Orleans Saints practice squad.
Rashard Higgins and Cory James were drafted by the Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders, respectively, and DeAndre Elliott signed as an undrafted free agent with the Seattle Seahawks. All three rookies exceled in both training camp and the preseason, earning spots on their team’s active 53-man rosters.
In his third year, Shaquil Barrett has become a mainstay of the defending Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos’ defense thanks to a tremendous sophomore campaign in which he recorded 50 tackles, 5.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. Weston Richburg of the New York Giants has established himself as one of the league’s best centers, being named to Pro Football Focus’ All-Pro Honorable Mention, as well as grading out as the 89th-best player in the entire league according to PFF. Crockett Gillmore’s signature gritty and hard-nosed playstyle has transitioned seamlessly to the NFL, as he started all 10 games he played in last season, recording 33 receptions with four touchdowns for the Baltimore Ravens. Gillmore also graded out as Pro Football Focus’ second-best tight end. After spending two seasons on the Denver Broncos’ practice squad, Kapri Bibbs beat out veteran running backs Ronnie Hillman and Juwan Thompson in the preseason to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. Second-year offensive lineman Ty Sambrailo started three games at left tackle for the Denver Broncos last year, before being shut down for the season with a shoulder injury.
Quarterback Garrett Grayson, a third-round draft pick of the New Orleans Saints in 2015, was waived and subsequently signed to the Saints’ practice squad during the preseason.
Below is a look at what the #NextLevelRams did during Week 5 of the NFL season:
#NextLevelRams overall record: 24-15
Crockett Gillmore (Baltimore Ravens; 3-2) - tight end
Crockett Gillmore turned in his best outing of the 2016 season, recording four catches for 28 yards and a touchdown. The Ravens have dropped two straight games after starting the season 3-0, but will look to bounce back this week against Weston Richburg and the New York Giants.
Cory James (Oakland Raiders; 4-1) - inside linebacker
James, who has stood out as one of the league’s top defensive rookies through Week 5, had a quiet game on Sunday, recording just two tackles. His 26 tackles on the season still rank second amongst Raiders players, and fifth amongst all rookies in the NFL.
Ty Sambrailo (Denver Broncos; 4-1) - offensive lineman
Sambrailo recorded his third straight start for the Broncos at right tackle. Denver dropped its first game of the season on Sunday, falling 23-16 to the Atlanta Falcons. Sambrailo and the Broncos are now on a short week as they take on the San Diego Chargers on Thursday Night Football.
Shaquil Barrett (Denver Broncos; 4-1) - outside linebacker
Barrett recorded three tackles in a loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The typically dominant Denver defense had an unusually rough outing, recording a season-low two sacks and allowing a season-high 23 points.
Weston Richburg (New York Giants; 2-3) - center
Richburg and the Giants suffered their third consecutive loss on Sunday night, falling 23-16 to the Green Bay Packers. The Giants struggled again to get much going offensively, but Richburg continues to grade out as one the league’s best offensive centers.
Kapri Bibbs (Denver Broncos; 4-1) - running back
Bibbs played in Denver’s loss to the Falcons, but did not record any stats.
Rashard Higgins (Cleveland Browns; 0-5) - wide receiver
Higgins played in Cleveland’s loss to the Patriots, but did not record any stats.
DeAndre Elliott (Seattle Seahawks; 3-1) - cornerback
BYE WEEK
Garrett Grayson (New Orleans Saints) - quarterback
With the Saints on their bye week, Grayson was in attendance and on the sideline for Colorado State’s 31-24 homecoming win over Utah State on Saturday night at Hughes Stadium.
