Weapon in the Making: The Ravens 2025 Sixth-Round Pick Making His Case in Baltimore

Following the Baltimore Ravens’ preseason opener last week against the Indianapolis Colts, a 24-16 victory, several newcomers and returning players showcased the potential impact they could bring to the 2025-26 roster as the team looks to overcome its playoff struggles come January. Notable standouts included second-year running back Keaton Mitchell, safety Beau Brade, cornerback T.J. Tampa, and edge rushers Mike Green and David Ojabo. However, one of the most talked-about performances following the first live preseason action came from sixth-round pick LaJohntay Wester. Before Thursday’s game, Wester was unlikely to top anyone’s list of breakout candidates, but his performance has since sparked intrigue about the kind of impact the 23-year-old could have on both the Ravens’ offense and special teams.

When Wester took the field against the Colts in Baltimore’s preseason opener last Thursday night, most expected him to get the majority of his opportunities on special teams. However, what no one saw coming was the jolt and energy that Wester provided when he returned a punt 87 yards for a touchdown, sending the crowd at M&T Bank Stadium into a frenzy after seeing the dazzling speed, agility, and quickness that Wester demonstrated on the punt-return touchdown. However, Wester’s impressive NFL debut was not done yet. During a third-quarter drive in what would be a more intensified moment come the regular season, Wester showed off his wide receiver abilities on a third-and-eight sideline grab, as he pushed off a defender and made an excellent mid-play adjustment on an underthrown ball by quarterback Devin Leary along the right sideline to haul in an impressive catch.

While Wester has primarily been carving out his niche as the team’s potential starting punt returner and possible kickoff returner, his performance during his snaps at wide receiver against Indianapolis has brought intrigue about whether he could receive more snaps on the Ravens’ offense as the season begins and progresses. Coming out of college, Wester’s success at wide receiver sort of went under the radar, with him putting up a 1,000-yard receiving season in his final year at Florida Atlantic in 2023, totaling 1,168 yards and eight touchdown receptions, which led to Wester receiving First-Team All-American and First-Team All-AAC honors. He then went on to follow up his impressive standout season with another one in his lone collegiate season at the University of Colorado, which was headlined by quarterback Shedeur Sanders, son of Deion Sanders. Wester concluded his collegiate career by recording 931 receiving yards and the second-most touchdown grabs for Colorado last season with 10. While Wester has demonstrated talent at the receiver position, the crowded wide receiver room in Baltimore may limit the former Buffaloes’ snap opportunities to begin, with Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and DeAndre Hopkins ahead of him on the depth chart. However, if Wester continues to build off his impressive pass-catching debut at the professional level, offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s hand may end up being forced to find a way to give Wester increased playing time on offense.

With his breathtaking debut, LaJohntay Wester is beginning to redefine the possibilities and expectations that are typically given to someone who was selected at his spot in the draft. Most importantly, he is laying the groundwork for a more inclusive role within the Ravens’ system by showing himself as another dangerous weapon that Baltimore brings to the table this season in an already loaded offense. With possible playing time on both special teams and offense, Wester’s impressive NFL debut is one that shouldn’t be forgotten. As a five-foot-nine receiver, even though he is among the shortest statures in his draft class, he has made himself no longer an afterthought, but instead a player whose impact could be felt every time he touches the football for the Ravens this season.