The Baltimore Ravens’ run on sixth-round picks is in full effect. After going defense and offensive line almost exclusively earlier in the draft, General Manager Eric DeCosta did something for the first time this draft with the 203rd pick: draft a skill-position player.
That honor goes to Colorado wide receiver LaJohntay Wester, who brings speed, separation ability, and return-game experience to a Ravens offense that’s been steadily reloading. It’s a bit of a full-circle moment too—Wester played under current Ravens running backs coach Willie Taggart during his days at FAU before transferring to Colorado.
For a Ravens team that needed to add another return specialist and depth option behind Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, Wester could be a very useful pickup—and maybe even more than that if he clicks quickly in Todd Monken’s offense.
LaJohntay Wester gives Ravens a spark in both the return game and the slot
Wester isn’t the biggest guy on the field at 5-foot-10 and 163 pounds, but he plays fast, quick, and fearless. He caught 74 passes for 931 yards and 10 touchdowns last season at Colorado, and his 325 career receptions show he knows how to get open and stay productive.
More importantly for the Ravens, he’s electric with the ball in his hands. Wester has two career punt return touchdowns and showed consistent ability to flip field position—something Baltimore has sorely lacked at times since Devin Duvernay’s departure. His quick-twitch route running and natural burst could also help him carve out gadget plays and short-area targets in Monken’s system.
There are flaws, of course. Wester’s hands can be inconsistent (30 career drops), and his small frame means contested catches will never be his strength. He’s also likely limited to pure slot duties, needing pre-snap motion and clean releases to be most effective.
Still, in the sixth round, this is exactly the kind of swing you want to take. Wester brings a skill set the Ravens don’t currently have a ton of on the roster. He offers real competition as a returner and an intriguing depth option behind Flowers, Bateman, and DeAndre Hopkins.
For Baltimore, it’s a surprising first—but with seemingly every sixth-round pick belonging to the Ravens, it's one worth making.