Ravens' sixth-round pick may be the best addition NFL experts are ignoring
The NFL Draft has been described as a selection meeting, a crap shoot, and an inexact science. Truthfully, it's all of those things. The Baltimore Ravens spend an entire year preparing for the next one once the current version wraps.
No one knows for certain how prospects will turn out. One never knows if a first-rounder is a 'bust' or a late-rounder is a 'steal'. Heat must be applied to find an answer, and once the kettle is turned up, that heat forges lumps of coal into diamonds. Or, at least, that's what the drafting team is hoping.
Every coin has two sides. Winning and losing come draft time with a prospect can, at times, feel like flipping one. We've learned as we have grown. Heat and pressure can also burst pipes, and when it comes to surviving in the NFL, these young draftees would certainly rather be a diamond.
The good news for Ravens fans is as follows. Baltimore has traditionally been one of pro football's top drafting teams. The 2025 class is an exciting bunch, featuring a star in the making (Malaki Starks) and possibly the best late-round pick that no one is discussing.
Ravens fans and the Baltimore media will want to familiarize themselves with LaJohntay Wester immediately
Expectations are a part of the draft-day experience. First and second-rounders are expected to contribute immediately or, as a worst-case scenario, they are expected to sit early and develop into starters later.
The mid-round prospects are often where the meat of a roster is built. Talent is hopefully found at bargain prices. Once teams reach Day 3, Round 6 and 7 in particular, the hope is that the drafting team gets lucky and finds the aforementioned steal.
The Baltimore Ravens may have found one. Ladies and gentlemen, feast your eyes on LaJohntay Wester, and jot his name down if you haven't already done so.
The general public probably best knows Wester for his single season in Colorado. He played for the Buffaloes under 'Coach Prime', Deion Sanders, but it was his previous season with the Florida Atlantic Owls that put him on the NCAA's radar.
He led the American Athletic Conference with 108 receptions, 1,168 yards receiving, en route to eight receiving TDs. He also led the AAC with 278 punt return yards, a 19.9 yards-per-return average, and a punt return TD. For his efforts, he was named AAC Special Teams Player of the Year, a First-team All-AAC nod, and a 2023 First-Team All-American.
Competition matters. Some saw Wester's achievements as the product of playing in a lesser conference vs. lesser competition. By stepping up his game and joining the Big 12 Conference, he proved he could still flourish, stacking 74 receptions, 931 yards receiving. and ten TDs in 13 games.
Wester fielded nine punts for Colorado last season. The results of those efforts were 108 return yards and another score. Baltimore selected him 203rd overall during Round 6 of last year's draft. The hope is that his skill set will translate. Fear not. There is a good chance that it will.
Wester proved he can be an early contributor during OTAs. He worked on fielding punts. He has taken snaps at wide receiver, becoming a fan favorite. Ravens running backs coach Willie Taggart was FAU's head coach from 2020-22. There, he mentored Wester for three seasons. Wouldn't you know it? Chuck Pagano's return isn't the only Ravens reunion that fans and the media will have an opportunity to fawn over.
OTAs brought a lot of padless work in shorts, so it's hard to diagnose what should be gauged by what was presented there. It doesn't seem like Wester has much competition for a punt returner's role, so if he continues to prove himself, that may provide some early opportunities to make a name for himself and battle on Baltimore's roster as a special-teams player.
From there, we'll see what happens. He's off to a good start. If he keeps this up, he figures to earn a spot on the roster and potentially contribute early.
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