Colorado State University Athletics
#NextLevelRams: NFL Update Week 7
10/26/2016 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. CSU has had multiple NFL Draft picks in each of the past three seasons, including two players drafted in the first three rounds in both 2014 and 2015.
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, but has returned and started three games at right tackle.
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 7 of the NFL season:
#NextLevelRams overall record: 28-19-1
Weston Richburg (New York Giants; 4-3) - center
Richburg and the Giants won their second straight game on Sunday in London, with a 17-10 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. The offensive line blocked for just 232 yards of total offense, including 36 on the ground, but allowed zero sacks and just one tackle for a loss. Richburg, who was matched up against All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald, graded out on Pro Football Focus as the Giants’ second-best offensive player with a 75.2 game score.
Rashard Higgins (Cleveland Browns; 0-7) - wide receiver
Higgins, who seems to have finally established himself in the Browns’ receiving rotation, pulled in two catches for 19 yards in Cleveland’s 31-17 loss to the Bengals. The Browns, who have already played six different quarterbacks this season, fell to 0-7 with the loss, and will take on the New York Jets on Sunday.
DeAndre Elliott (Seattle Seahawks; 4-1-1) - cornerback
A week after recording his first career tackle, Elliott had another strong game, recording two tackles including an impressive solo stop while playing as a gunner on the punt coverage team. Seattle and Arizona tied 6-6, moving the Seahawks’ record to 4-1-1.
Cory James (Oakland Raiders; 5-2) - inside linebacker
Cory James played solely on special teams in Oakland’s 33-16 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He remains one of the league’s best defensive rookies, and will look to get back in to the linebacker rotation this week against the Buccaneers.
Shaquil Barrett (Denver Broncos; 5-2) - outside linebacker
Barrett recorded one tackle in the Broncos’ 27-9 win over the Houston Texans. He got a hand on one of Shane Lechler’s fourth quarter punts, but did not disrupt the play enough to earn a blocked punt on the stat sheet.
Ty Sambrailo (Denver Broncos; 5-2) - offensive lineman
Sambrailo played as a backup offensive lineman in the Broncos’ win over the Texans, including an appearance in a goal-line package that helped block for a C.J. Anderson rushing touchdown.
Crockett Gillmore (Baltimore Ravens; 3-4) - tight end
Played, but did not record any stats in a loss to the New York Jets.
Kapri Bibbs (Denver Broncos; 5-2) - running back
Played in Denver’s win over Houston, but did not record any stats.
Garrett Grayson (New Orleans Saints) - quarterback
Did not play; spent week on practice squad
