The Baltimore Ravens need some juice on special teams. The success of the kicking duo in punter Jordan Stout and rookie kicker Tyler Loop is unpredictable in 2025. Stout still has a lot of room to grow, and Loop needs to prove he can handle the NFL pressure and cold weather games. However, it is the return game where the Ravens are truly lacking.
The kick returners lacked stability in 2024, and while wide receiver Tylan Wallace had some success as a punt returner, he lacked consistent electricity with the ball in his hands. It sounds like running back Keaton Mitchell is hoping to claim the kick return job, and his speed and agility in the open field should give Baltimore another dynamic weapon. As for the punt return job, that role sounds wide open for the taking, but rookie wide receiver LaJohntay Wester appears to be running away with it.
LaJohntay Wester is the playmaker the Ravens need on special teams
Coming into Baltimore as a sixth-round pick, Wester was known for his splash play ability. He consistently showed out in the open field and found paydirt at every chance at Florida Atlantic and Colorado. The expectations usually are not that high for a late-round pick, but for a player of Wester’s status, there is reason to believe he can be one of the more underrated weapons in the Ravens offense. His time to shine could be this year, and he is proving that early in camp.
The former Colorado standout’s attention to detail is paying off. At rookie minicamp, he took the time to work on fielding punts with Head Coach John Harbaugh. While he has punt return experience, he was known for his craftiness at wideout during his senior year in 2024. However, he quickly adjusted to the operation in the practices, earning Harbaugh’s approval. Since he showcased his abilities in May, Wester has only taken off from there, and he is quickly becoming a fan favorite.
Wester is also already a favorite of the coaches and has been one of running backs coach Willie Taggart’s favorites since Wester’s Florida Atlantic tenure. The 23-year-old played under Taggart with the Owls from 2020 to 2022. Following the selection of Wester, the duo could not contain the excitement, and Taggart is confident Wester can succeed in Baltimore.
“We get to do it again. You’re coming to a great organization. You're gonna fit in perfectly here and what we’re all about,” Taggart said.
While everything Wester has proved thus far will not compare to the highs and lows he will face when players get the pads on, he has shown he is very coachable and can adapt to change quickly. In college, he was nearly untouchable when he had the ball in his hands, and the front office and coaching staff have faith that his ability will translate to the professional level. It does not sound like Wester has much competition at punt returner, so if he can prove himself for the rest of the offseason, he should be the go-to guy to return punts and put the offense in terrific field position when the time comes.