While the Baltimore Ravens' preseason duel with the city's old occupants in the Indianapolis Colts was dominated by Anthony Richardson's finger injury, a Ravens player fighting for his professional career may have just stolen the spotlight with an early contender for the best play of the preseason.
The Ravens added another young wide receiver to their room by selecting Colorado speed demon LaJohntay Wester in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Despite being guaranteed very little in regards to the prospect of making this roster, Wester may have just taken a 53-man spot by force.
Wester ran a punt back 87 yards for a touchdown that put Baltimore up 14-3, bobbing and weaving his way through would-be tacklers. This is the kind of performance that sets him apart from the rest of the common rabble.
Ravens rookie LaJohntay Wester shows off speed with punt-return TD
Wester amassed 108 catches for just under 1,200 in the final of his four seasons with Florida Atlantic. Wester became one of Shedeur Sanders' top targets after trading in Boca Raton for Boulder, tallying 941 yards and 10 touchdowns despite losing targets to Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr.
Wester is one of the smallest players in the NFL, as he is listed at 5-9 and (on a good day) 170 pounds. Even if he proves to be a tremendous route-runner with solid speed, his lack of physicality could be such a liability for him that he went into the preseason not guaranteed a roster spot.
Wester's best-case scenario as a wide receiver during his rookie season is to start the year as WR6 on the depth chart, all while pushing Devontez Walker and Tylan Wallace for snaps. Wester may be competing directly with Wallace, who has had success as a returner in the past.
If Wester can keep running back kicks like this while showing just enough of the speed that made him so dynamic in college, the Ravens could have a late-round gem that is entrusted to make big plays and hold down a role with some serious responsibility.