Colorado State University Athletics
#NextLevelRams: NFL Update Week 9
11/9/2016 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: 39-29-1
Kapri Bibbs (Denver Broncos; 6-3) - running back
Kapri Bibbs was the Denver Broncos’ star of Sunday Night Football, busting off a 69-yard touchdown on a screen pass late in the fourth quarter. The play, which can be seen here, marked the first touchdown of the former practice squad player’s career, and was selected as one of NFL Network’s best plays of Week 9. Bibbs finished the game with two carries for 11 yards and one reception for 69 yards and a touchdown.
69 yard screen pass...
He found the end zone!
What a run by @KapriBibbs! #DENvsOAK https://t.co/TIQrNpmTKI— NFL (@NFL) November 7, 2016
Shaquil Barrett (Denver Broncos; 6-3) - outside linebacker
Barrett had one of his best statistical games of the season in Sunday night’s loss to Oakland, recording six total tackles including four solo tackles. He made a number of impressive special teams plays, and was a noticeable force in the Denver pass rush and run defense. The Broncos will look to get back on track Sunday as they travel to take on the New Orleans Saints.
Weston Richburg (New York Giants; 5-3) - center
Richburg and the Giants won their third straight game on Sunday, knocking off the Philadelphia Eagles 28-23. The Giants’ offensive line blocked for 302 yards of total offense and allowed just one sack. Richburg graded out as the Giants’ second-best offensive player according to Pro Football Focus, earning a game grade of 80.1.
Cory James (Oakland Raiders; 7-2) - inside linebacker
James recorded two tackles in Oakland’s win over the Denver Broncos, including a tackle of Kapri Bibbs on the game’s opening kickoff. The rookie linebacker has worked his way back into the middle linebacking rotation, and saw more defensive snaps this week than he had in the previous two.
Rashard Higgins (Cleveland Browns; 0-9) - wide receiver
Higgins played, but did not record any stats in the Browns’ loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
DeAndre Elliott (Seattle Seahawks; 5-2-1) - cornerback
Elliott did not play in Seattle’s win over the Buffalo Bills
Ty Sambrailo (Denver Broncos; 6-3) - offensive lineman
Sambrailo did not play in Denver’s loss to the Oakland Raiders.
Crockett Gillmore (Baltimore Ravens; 4-4) - tight end
Gillmore did not play in Baltimore’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers due to a thigh injury.
Garrett Grayson (New Orleans Saints) - quarterback
Did not play; spent week on practice squad
