Colorado State University Athletics
#NextLevelRams: NFL Update Week 3
9/28/2016 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:
Cory James (Oakland Raiders) - inside linebacker
A week after recording his first career tackle, rookie Cory James made his first career start in the Raiders’ 17-10 win over the Tennessee Titans. James logged six tackles, good for second-best on the team, and played a team-high 74 total snaps (65 defensive, 9 special teams). The story of his impressive debut was featured on the Raiders’ website following the win, and can be read here.
Ty Sambrailo (Denver Broncos) - offensive lineman
Sambrailo returned to action for the first team in almost a year, getting the start at right tackle for the Broncos after missing the team’s previous 18 games due to injury. The second-year offensive lineman helped block the way for 355 yards of total offense and four passing touchdowns by quarterback Trevor Siemian, a stat line which earned Siemian AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
Shaquil Barrett (Denver Broncos) - outside linebacker
Shaquil Barrett recorded two tackles in a win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The victory moved the defending Super Bowl champs to 3-0, making them one of just five teams remaining in the NFL with an unblemished record.
Crockett Gillmore (Baltimore Ravens) - tight end
Ravens tight end Crockett Gillmore played but did not record a catch in a win over Jacksonville on Sunday. The Ravens, like the Broncos, remain unbeaten on the season.
Weston Richburg (New York Giants) - center
Richburg and the Giants suffered their first loss of the season on Sunday, a 29-27 defeat to the Washington Redskins. Richburg started and played the entire game at center before being ejected in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
Kapri Bibbs (Denver Broncos) - running back
Played in Denver’s win over the Bengals, but did not record any stats. Rashard Higgins (Cleveland Browns) - wide receiver Played in Cleveland’s loss to the Miami Dolphins, but did not record any stats.
DeAndre Elliott (Seattle Seahawks) - cornerback
Played in Seattle’s win over the San Francisco 49ers, but did not record any stats.
Garrett Grayson (New Orleans Saints) - quarterback
Did not play; spent week on practice squad.
