Colorado State University Athletics
#NextLevelRams: NFL Update Week 13
12/7/2016 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 13 of the NFL season:
#NextLevelRams overall record: 57-38-1
Kapri Bibbs (Denver Broncos; 8-4) - running back
Bibbs, who was quickly establishing himself as the Broncos’ best option at running back, was put on season-ending injured reserve after suffering a sprained ankle in Denver’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Before leaving the game, he logged a career-high 49 yards on just five carries, marking the best yards-per-carry average of a Bronco running back this season.
Rashard Higgins (Cleveland Browns; 0-12) - wide receiver
Higgins and the Browns were on a bye this week, but the rookie wide receiver was featured on the Browns’ website in a piece about his increased role with the offense. The story can be read here.
Weston Richburg (New York Giants; 8-4) - center
Richburg and New York’s six-game win streak came to an end on Sunday in their 24-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Giants’ offense struggled, picking up just 234 total yards, including 55 on the ground. They remain in a wild-card spot, and will take on division rival and NFC-leading Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.
Shaquil Barrett (Denver Broncos; 8-4) - outside linebacker
Barrett recorded three tackles in Denver’s 20-10 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Cory James (Oakland Raiders; 10-2) - inside linebacker
James played but did not record any stats in Oakland’s win over the Buffalo Bills.
Crockett Gillmore (Baltimore Ravens; 7-5) - tight end
Gillmore missed his fifth straight game with a thigh injury. He has not been placed on season-ending injured reserve, which means he is eligible to return to action whenever he is healthy.
DeAndre Elliott (Seattle Seahawks; 8-3-1) - cornerback
Elliott played but did not record any stats in Seattle’s win over the Carolina Panthers.
Ty Sambrailo (Denver Broncos; 8-4) - offensive lineman
Sambrailo played as a backup offensive lineman in Denver’s win.
Garrett Grayson (New Orleans Saints) - quarterback
Did not play; spent week on practice squad
