Colorado State University Athletics
#NextLevelRams: NFL Update Week 4
10/5/2016 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 4 of the NFL season:
Cory James (Oakland Raiders) - inside linebacker
Cory James’ impressive rookie campaign continued on Sunday, as he recorded a team-high 15 total tackles, including a tackle for a loss and a forced fumble. He led the team in snaps played for the second straight week, and was singled out by Pro Football Focus as one of the league’s top inside linebackers of Week 4. The Raiders will look to build upon their 3-1 start to the season as they take on the San Diego Chargers on Sunday in Oakland.
Ty Sambrailo (Denver Broncos) - offensive lineman
Sambrailo made his second consecutive start at right tackle for the Broncos on Sunday, after missing nearly a full calendar year with injury. Despite struggling in his season debut last week, Sambrailo returned to form in the team’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, grading out as the second-best offensive player for the Broncos according to Pro Football Focus. The Broncos will look to remain unbeaten as they take on the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday in Denver.
Shaquil Barrett (Denver Broncos) - outside linebacker
Third year linebacker Shaquil Barrett turned in his best statistical game of the season on Sunday, recording six tackles, a sack and a pass defense. Barrett has been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks so far this season, but it had not translated to the stat sheet until this week. Following his standout performance, Chris Wessling of Around the NFL pegged Barrett “as disruptive as any player I’ve watched from Week 4”.
Crockett Gillmore (Baltimore Ravens) - tight end
Crockett Gillmore recorded two catches for 16 yards in Sunday’s loss to Cory James and the Oakland Raiders. His two catches marked a season high, but his elite blocking skills are what consistently rank him amongst the league’s best tight ends.
Weston Richburg (New York Giants) - center
Richburg and the Giants suffered their second consecutive loss on Sunday, falling 24-10 to the undefeated Minnesota Vikings. The Giants struggled to get anything going on the ground, rushing for just 78 yards on 18 carries. They’ll look to bounce back this week as they take on the Green Bay Packers.
Kapri Bibbs (Denver Broncos) - running back
Kapri Bibbs recorded a career-high three carries which went for 14 yards in Denver’s 27-7 win over the Buccaneers.
Rashard Higgins (Cleveland Browns) - wide receiver
Played in Cleveland’s loss to the Redskins, but did not record any stats.
DeAndre Elliott (Seattle Seahawks) - cornerback
Played in Seattle’s win over the New York Jets, but did not record any stats.
Garrett Grayson (New Orleans Saints) - quarterback
Did not play; spent week on practice squad.
