The Baltimore Ravens may have found another late-round gem once again in LaJohntay Wester. While they had big needs that were addressed on Days 1-2 in the draft, like the secondary or pass rusher, the wide receiver position did need another talented body in the mix for depth.
However, the one the Ravens took could turn into an impact pick right away as a dynamic playmaker, as the 23-year-old senior had great success at Colorado and FAU that may have been overshadowed by other players in his receiving core, especially in 2024.
Although he was taken in the 6th round with the 203rd overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, many believe he can be more than just a return man and make a real impact despite the receivers the Ravens have.
More than just a Return Man in Baltimore?
The Ringer NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay is one of said believers, stating, “I’m telling you, he’s going to get in the Ravens’ receiving room and be like, ‘Hey, I can play on this team.’ I’m telling you he can. He’s going to get his shot.”
Colorado had Shedeur Sanders throwing to Travis Hunter as the lead receiver and Jimmy Horn Jr., but Wester was the big-play threat and sometimes the forgotten man for the Buffaloes, despite his size at 5’10” and 163 lbs.
“Wester’s a tough little nugget,” McShay said on “The McShay Show.” “If they were double-teaming or rolling coverage to Travis Hunter, he [Wester] showed up. And he’s been doing it for a while, just nobody knew about it.”
Baltimore brought in veteran DeAndre Hopkins this offseason and still has Rashod Bateman, who had a career season, and Zay Flowers. But they also have former fourth-round rookie Devontez Walker, who did show flashes against the New York Giants late in the year.
Tylan Wallace, the current return man that they re-signed, has shown up when the Ravens have needed him at receiver and is Wester’s primary competition. But there is room to grow in their receiver group, as injuries have plagued this team badly in tight situations. If Wester can show out when he gets the chance in camp and preseason, there is no reason not to let him take some reps, especially if he stands out over Walker and Wallace.
But to start out, he could make an impact first in special teams and can contribute as a role player with the depth chart as packed as it is. Running backs Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell, and Rasheen Ali are their current kick returners.
“[Colorado] had bigger guys, they had faster guys. It was always Wester, though, getting the tough yards in a pinch,” McShay said.
Wester is used to that, as he made plays happen when he got them at FAU before he transferred and then in Colorado for a season. Although his NFL Scouting Combine isn’t anything standout, there is a path for him to break through this depth chart, potentially as a package player as well. His quickness at times is elite, and he has the vision/ burst to take a play to the distance on any given down.
Dynamic Play-Making Receiver Out of the Slot
At FAU, Wester didn’t break out till his fourth season, when he had 1,168 yards on 108 catches and eight receiving touchdowns. He also had two career rushing touchdowns (FAU) and two career punt return touchdowns at FAU and Colorado.
In 2024, the slot receiver was the second-leading pass-catcher for Colorado and had 74 catches for 931 receiving yards but increased his touchdown total to 10 as a career-high for a single season. However, in total, Wester had over 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns in the last two years of his collegiate career. His 326 catches across five seasons would make him sixth among FBS players all-time.
Wester was clutch in big-time moments for the Buffaloes, especially with monster performances against Arizona (8 receptions for 127 yards) and Oklahoma State (11 receptions for 175 yards and 2 touchdowns). The late round pick averaged 12.6 yards a catch while catching three passes at worst a game.
He does show a profile to be a consistent receiver, either underneath or shot fades down the seam as a big-play threat, either making a man miss or beating him to the spot.
Where the Ravens were lacking playmakers when both Bateman and Flowers were hurt in the playoffs, even though they have tight ends like Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, that is where Wester could come in and bring some juice.
That would complement an offense that leans heavily on Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry and will need some more firepower to overtake teams in big-time spots vs. the Buffalo Bills or Kansas City Chiefs, or division-rival Cincinnati Bengals/ Pittsburgh Steelers multiple times a season.
