Colorado State University Athletics
#NextLevelRams: NFL Update Week 8
11/2/2016 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 8 of the NFL season:
#NextLevelRams overall record: 35-25-1
Shaquil Barrett (Denver Broncos; 6-2) - outside linebacker
Barrett recorded just one tackle in the Broncos' 27-19 win over the San Diego Chargers, but blocked a crucial point-after attempt in the third quarter. The Broncos' defense seems to have returned to form following an uncharacteristic two game slide. They will look to pick up their third straight win this week on Sunday Night Football against Cory James and the Oakland Raiders.
Rashard Higgins (Cleveland Browns; 0-8) - wide receiver
Higgins recorded a catch in his third straight game on Sunday, pulling in a 10-yard reception on his lone target of the day in a loss to the New York Jets. The rookie wide receiver now has four catches for 43 yards on the season, all of which have come in the last three games. The Browns remain the only winless team in the NFL at 0-8, but will look to pick up that elusive first win this week when they host the Dallas Cowboys.
Kapri Bibbs (Denver Broncos; 6-2) - running back
Bibbs recorded two carries for four yards and recovered a fumble in the Broncos' win over the Chargers. With starting running back C.J. Anderson still on injured reserve, Bibbs remains one of the Broncos' top options at running back and will likely see an increased workload as the season goes on.
DeAndre Elliott (Seattle Seahawks; 4-2-1) - cornerback
Elliott played, but did not record any stats in the Seahawks' loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Cory James (Oakland Raiders; 6-2) - inside linebacker
James played, but did not record any stats in the Raiders' win over the Buccaneers.
Ty Sambrailo (Denver Broncos; 6-2) - offensive lineman
Sambrailo played as a backup offensive lineman in the Broncos' win over the Chargers.
Crockett Gillmore (Baltimore Ravens; 3-4) - tight end
Did not play; Bye Week
Weston Richburg (New York Giants; 4-3) - center
Did not play; Bye Week
Garrett Grayson (New Orleans Saints) - quarterback
Did not play; spent week on practice squad
