Colorado State University Athletics
#NextLevelRams: NFL Update Week 2
9/21/2016 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 1 of the NFL season:
Shaquil Barrett (Denver Broncos) - outside linebacker
Shaquil Barrett recorded one tackle in a 34-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Despite having a quiet game on the stats sheet, Barrett put consistent pressure on QB Andrew Luck throughout the game and nearly blocked two punts.
Crockett Gillmore (Baltimore Ravens) - tight end
Ravens tight end Crockett Gillmore recorded one reception for 22 yards in a win over the Cleveland Browns. The win pushes the Ravens to 2-0 on the season, with a trip to Jacksonville coming up on Sunday.
Weston Richburg (New York Giants) - center
Richburg and the Giants improved to 2-0 on the season with a 16-13 win over the New Orleans Saints. Richburg started and played the entire game at center, blocking the way for 417 yards of total offense.
Kapri Bibbs (Denver Broncos) - running back
A week after recording his first career reception, Broncos running back Kapri Bibbs logged his first career carry, converting a 3rd-and-1 with a 7-yard rush up the middle. Bibbs and the Broncos now prep for their first road game of the season, as they take on the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday afternoon.
Cory James (Oakland Raiders) - inside linebacker
Rookie Cory James recorded his first career tackle on Sunday against the Falcons, a game in which he finished with two combined tackles. James was singled out by Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio as, "a ball magnet", and was profiled by The Mercury News earlier this week. The full story can be read here.
Rashard Higgins (Cleveland Browns) - wide receiver
Played in Cleveland's loss to the Ravens, but did not record any stats.
DeAndre Elliott (Seattle Seahawks) - cornerback
Did not play in Seattle's loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Ty Sambrailo (Denver Broncos) - offensive lineman
Did not play (injury); has practiced this week and is expected to return to action Sunday vs. the Bengals.
Garrett Grayson (New Orleans Saints) - quarterback
Did not play; spent week on practice squad.
