Colorado State University Athletics
#NextLevelRams: NFL Update Week 10
11/16/2016 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 10 of the NFL season:
#NextLevelRams overall record: 45-30-1
Shaquil Barrett (Denver Broncos; 7-3) - outside linebacker
Barrett recorded his second sack of the season on Sunday on his lone tackle of the day. Barrett’s play-time at linebacker has diminished slightly since DeMarcus Ware returned from injury, but the third-year linebacker still finds a way to leave his mark on every game. Barrett and the Broncos have a bye-week now before taking on the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12 on Sunday Night Football.
Shaq Barrett from the 3 tech 💪 #Broncos pic.twitter.com/PORZMo7QX1
— Brandon Thorn (@VeteranScout) November 14, 2016
Weston Richburg (New York Giants; 6-3) - center
Richburg and the Giants remain one of the hottest teams in football as they picked up their fourth straight win on Monday Night Football against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Giants’ offensive line blocked the way for 351 yards of total offense and allowed just one sack. Richburg continues to stand out as one of the league’s premier offensive linemen and his close bond with quarterback Eli Manning was featured in this ESPN story.
Ty Sambrailo (Denver Broncos; 7-3) - offensive lineman
Sambrailo, who had played sparingly in the past few weeks, replaced starting right tackle Donald Stephenson in the second half of Denver’s win over the Saints. “Ty deserves to play more. So he’s going to play,” Broncos Head Coach Gary Kubiak said following the win. The Denver Post also wrote, “An underrated move that helped the Broncos’ offense slow down the Saints’ penetration in the second half of their 25-23 win Sunday was benching right tackle Donald Stephenson for Ty Sambrailo”.
Kapri Bibbs (Denver Broncos; 7-3) - running back
Following his breakout performance in Week 9, Bibbs recorded a career-high seven carries which went for 22 yards in Sunday’s 25-23 win over the New Orleans Saints. He continues to be part of the Broncos’ one-two punch at the tailback position, and figures to see a consistent workload while starting running back C.J. Anderson remains on Injured Reserve.
DeAndre Elliott (Seattle Seahawks; 6-2-1) - cornerback
After missing Week 9 with an injury, DeAndre Elliott returned to action and recorded a tackle in the Seahawks’ big win over the New England Patriots.
Rashard Higgins (Cleveland Browns; 0-10) - wide receiver
Higgins played, but did not record any stats in the Browns’ loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Crockett Gillmore (Baltimore Ravens; 5-4) - tight end
Gillmore did not play in Baltimore’s win over the Cleveland Browns due to a thigh injury.
Cory James (Oakland Raiders; 7-2) - inside linebacker
Did not play; Bye
Garrett Grayson (New Orleans Saints) - quarterback
Did not play; spent week on practice squad
