#NextLevelRams: End of regular season NFL update

by Grant Larson
Athletics Communications

FORT COLLINS, Colo.—The NFL regular season wrapped up this past week with nine former Colorado State Rams under contract with franchises--four on active rosters, four on injured reserve lists and one on a practice squad.

Outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett (Denver Broncos) and offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo (Atlanta Falcons) spent all season on their respective teams' active rosters, while wide receiver Rashard Higgins (Cleveland Browns) was recalled from the practice squad in Week 2 and running back Kapri Bibbs (Washington Redskins) made his season debut in Week 15.

Center Weston Richburg (New York Giants) started the first four games of the year before being placed on season-ending injured reserve, and second-year linebacker Cory James (Oakland Raiders) played in 10 games before hitting IR in Week 15. Cornerback Deandre Elliott (Seattle Seahawks) and tight end Crockett Gillmore (Baltimore Ravens) spent the entire season on injured reserve after suffering injuries in the preseason, and quarterback Garrett Grayson (Atlanta Falcons) spent the second half of the season on Atlanta's practice squad.

Below is a look at what each of the #NextLevelRams accomplished in the 2017 NFL season:

Shaquil Barrett (Denver Broncos)
Fourth-year linebacker Shaquil Barrett is becoming more and more of a household name, having firmly established himself as one of the league's premier pass rushers and run defenders. He finished the season with 37 tackles, 4.0 sacks, five tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and a blocked kick. Ending the year on a high note, Barrett was graded out as the league's highest rated edge defender in Week 16 according to Pro Football Focus, and finished the year rated by the publication as one of the top run defenders in the league. The former Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year will be a restricted free agent this offseason but has said on multiple occasions he hopes to remain with the Denver Broncos.

Shaquil Barrett is having himself a game. It's been a breakout season for the outside linebacker with a big offseason coming.
— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) December 24, 2017

Kapri Bibbs (Washington Redskins)
This offseason saw running back Kapri Bibbs traded from the Denver Broncos—where he played the first three years of his career—to the San Francisco 49ers. Bibbs was released by the 49ers after the preseason, but was signed to the Washington Redskins practice squad on Nov. 24. He quickly impressed his new coaching staff with his vision and burst, and was promoted to the active roster two weeks later. He scored on his first touch in a Washington uniform, taking a screen pass 36 yards for a touchdown, and then put up 54 yards of total offense in a Week 16 matchup with his former team, the Denver Broncos. Bibbs saved his best for last however, leading the Redskins in both rushing and receiving yards in the season finale against the New York Giants, totaling 100 yards from scrimmage. In just three games with Washington, Bibbs recorded 21 carries for 79 yards and 14 catches for 128 yards with a touchdown.

via Washington Redskins: Kapri Bibbs exits the season making the most of his opportunity

Give @KapriBibbs some space & watch what he does with it. #HTTR #AZvsWAS pic.twitter.com/X08u4Wqbxt
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) December 17, 2017

Deandre Elliott (Seattle Seahawks)
Did not play; spent the season on injured reserve.

Crockett Gillmore (Baltimore Ravens)
Did not play; spent the season on injured reserve.

Garrett Grayson (Atlanta Falcons)
Did not play; was signed to Falcons' practice squad Oct. 17, released from the practice squad Nov. 8, and re-signed to the practice squad Nov. 14.

Rashard Higgins (Cleveland Browns)
Despite his Browns becoming just the second team in NFL history to finish a season 0-16, wide receiver Rashard Higgins finished his sophomore campaign with a bang and gave Browns fans something to look forward to after a tumultuous season. Colorado State's all-time leading receiver started the season on Cleveland's practice squad, but solidified himself as one of the team's top-three receivers by the end of the season. In a Week 17 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Higgins logged three catches for 68 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The scores marked the first of Higgins' professional career—the first of which came on a 56-yard catch-and-run that gave Rams fans flashbacks of his All-America career in Fort Collins. Higgins finished the 2017 season with 27 catches for 312 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games played and four starts.

.@DeShoneKizer ?? @CALLME_WOOD for the 56 yard TD #CLEvsPIT pic.twitter.com/IXqpD2gpBX
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 31, 2017

Cory James (Oakland Raiders)
Linebacker Cory James' second season in the NFL got off to a very promising start, but finished on the season-ending injured reserve list after suffering a torn meniscus midway through in the season. Playing at both inside and outside linebacker, James recorded 56 tackles, seven tackles for loss and a forced fumble in 10 games played. One of James' best games as a pro came in Week 10 against the Buffalo Bills when he logged eight tackles and a career-high three tackles for loss. James is expected to be healthy in time for training camp and looks to play a pivotal role on Oakland's defense next season.

Weston Richburg (New York Giants)
Center Weston Richburg entered the year as one of the league's best centers, but saw his fourth NFL season cut short by a concussion. The former second-round draft pick started four games for the Giants, but was placed on season-ending injured reserve on Nov. 4. Richburg is an unrestricted free agent this offseason and is expected to land a lucrative contract with either the Giants or another team in need of offensive line help.

Ty Sambrailo (Atlanta Falcons)
Third-year offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo was traded from the Denver Broncos to Atlanta prior to the start of the season, and the former Ram made the most of his stint with the Falcons in a reserve role. Sambrailo played in 15 games, and made two starts at right tackle after an injury to starter Ryan Schraeder. Finishing the season with a 10-6 record and securing the 6th seed in the NFC, Sambrailo will be CSU's lone representative in the playoffs this season. The Falcons will take on the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round on Saturday at 6:15 MT on NBC.

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results