Breaking: Colorado wide receiver LaJohntay Wester is selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the 203rd pick of the 2025 NFL Draft.

In a move that blends electrifying athleticism with raw potential, the Baltimore Ravens have selected Colorado wide receiver LaJohntay Wester with the 203rd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The sixth-round selection signifies Baltimore’s ongoing commitment to surrounding quarterback Lamar Jackson with dynamic weapons, while giving Wester the opportunity to prove that his skill set can translate to the next level.

Wester, who spent most of his college career at Florida Atlantic before transferring to Colorado for his final season, emerged as one of the most productive and explosive receivers in the country. His combination of route-running savvy, shiftiness in open space, and return-game prowess made him a favorite target for Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders throughout the 2024 season. Though he didn’t hear his name called in the early rounds, Wester’s draft position speaks volumes about his long-term potential and Baltimore’s vision for how he could fit into an already potent offensive scheme.

LaJohntay Wester’s journey to the NFL has been one of relentless work ethic and consistent production. At just 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, Wester doesn’t possess the prototypical frame of a boundary NFL receiver, but what he lacks in size he makes up for in versatility and elite quickness. Over his five-year college career—four at FAU and one at Colorado—Wester amassed more than 3,400 all-purpose yards and 25 total touchdowns.

His breakout campaign came in 2023, his final season at Florida Atlantic, when he racked up 108 receptions for 1,168 yards and 8 touchdowns. That season earned him All-AAC First-Team honors and thrust him onto the national radar. Wester transferred to Colorado with hopes of proving he could thrive against stronger competition in the Pac-12, and he did just that—recording 67 catches for 792 yards and five touchdowns while also averaging nearly 10 yards per punt return.

What impressed scouts the most wasn’t just his productivity—it was his polish. Wester is a technician in the slot, routinely breaking defenders’ ankles with slick footwork and accelerating with an elite first step. His ability to gain separation quickly and work as a reliable outlet on third downs turned him into a safety blanket for Sanders. He also showed he could be more than just a slot specialist, lining up outside and in the backfield in several trick plays orchestrated by head coach Deion Sanders.

The Ravens have had an unusually pragmatic draft this year, using their earlier picks to bolster the offensive and defensive lines and adding developmental pieces in the secondary. With the 203rd pick, the focus clearly shifted to playmaking depth.

By selecting Wester, the Ravens are banking on upside. While the top of the wide receiver depth chart is anchored by the likes of Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, Baltimore lacked a consistent slot presence in 2024. Veteran Nelson Agholor provided spurts of production, but the Ravens need fresh legs and a long-term option underneath to keep defenses honest.

LaJohntay Wester fits that need perfectly. His shiftiness in space and ability to make defenders miss give him potential as a chain-mover and screen-game threat. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken will likely see Wester as a Swiss Army knife who can line up in multiple formations, including special teams where his punt and kickoff return abilities could make him an immediate contributor.

Wester is also known for his football IQ, which bodes well for his transition to a complex offensive system. His time in Deion Sanders’ pro-style spread offense gave him exposure to sophisticated route trees and frequent motion plays—experience that aligns well with the Ravens’ evolving offensive philosophy.

While sixth-round picks aren’t always expected to be immediate impact players, LaJohntay Wester enters Baltimore with several traits that give him a real shot at sticking on the 53-man roster—and maybe even carving out a rotational role.

Wester’s most noticeable trait is his ability to explode off the line of scrimmage and create instant separation. That twitchiness makes him a nightmare in the slot and gives Baltimore a weapon on quick slants, option routes, and bubble screens.

One of Wester’s most overlooked qualities is his special teams value. He averaged 9.6 yards per punt return and scored two return touchdowns in his college career. Baltimore’s special teams unit, already one of the league’s best, could use Wester as a dynamic punt returner from Day 1.

Despite his smaller frame, Wester is fearless over the middle. He rarely drops passes and has shown an ability to absorb contact and still maintain control. His toughness makes him reliable in tight-window throws—an essential trait when playing with a quarterback like Lamar Jackson, who thrives on improvisation.

Wester doesn’t just catch the ball—he makes things happen afterward. He led the Pac-12 in YAC per catch among slot receivers and was top five nationally. Baltimore hasn’t had a true YAC threat in the slot since Willie Snead’s peak, and Wester could revitalize that element.

With Lamar Jackson entering the prime of his career and fresh off another MVP-caliber season, the Ravens have placed an emphasis on supporting their franchise quarterback with the right weapons. While Zay Flowers and Isaiah Likely have emerged as key targets, Baltimore’s offense could be even more dangerous with a reliable underneath threat who thrives in space.

Wester could fill that void. His ability to read zone coverage and adjust routes on the fly aligns well with Jackson’s improvisational style. In scramble drills, Wester’s quickness and awareness make him an ideal target. He also excels on jet sweeps and quick motions, which Baltimore has started to incorporate more frequently into their offensive packages.

If used correctly, Wester could find himself catching 3–5 passes per game and returning punts regularly by midseason.

The Baltimore locker room is full of experienced receivers who can guide Wester through the NFL adjustment process. Rashod Bateman, Odell Beckham Jr. (if re-signed), and Nelson Agholor (if retained) offer different perspectives on what it takes to succeed as a professional receiver. Zay Flowers, who had a strong rookie campaign, can also serve as a peer mentor.

In a post-draft interview, Wester acknowledged the opportunity to learn from Baltimore’s receiver room:

“To be in a locker room with Lamar Jackson, and to get coached by this staff, is a blessing. I’ve always played with a chip on my shoulder, and I’m ready to do whatever it takes—catching passes, blocking, returning kicks—I just want to win.”

His attitude and willingness to contribute in any phase of the game are part of what sold the Ravens’ front office.

Wester’s transfer to Colorado for the 2024 season put him on a bigger national stage, and he made the most of it. Though Colorado struggled in the Pac-12 and finished with a losing record, Wester was one of the few consistent bright spots. Coach Deion Sanders frequently praised Wester for his leadership and toughness.

“LaJohntay’s a dawg,” Sanders said after a Week 4 win. “He shows up every practice, every game, and he delivers. He might be the most underrated receiver in the country. Somebody’s going to get a steal.”

As with any late-round pick, Wester will need to overcome several obstacles to earn consistent snaps in Baltimore. The biggest questions about him stem from his size and durability at the next level. Can he hold up physically against NFL linebackers and safeties when working over the middle? Can he block effectively in the run game? These are areas he’ll need to address in training camp and preseason.

He’ll also be competing for a spot in a crowded wide receiver room. Beyond the top three or four receivers, Baltimore also has young developmental players like Tylan Wallace and Devin Duvernay—both of whom contribute on special teams.

But Wester’s versatility gives him a puncher’s chance. He doesn’t need to be a WR2 to make an impact; he just needs the ball in his hands a few times a game to change field position or convert a crucial third down.

The 203rd pick might not carry the same flash as a Day 1 selection, but every draft has hidden gems—and LaJohntay Wester has the potential to be one of them. The Ravens have a history of developing overlooked talent, and Wester’s work ethic, attitude, and explosiveness give him all the tools to thrive in Baltimore.

While his name might not have been called early, his journey is just beginning. And if his college career is any indication, Wester is ready to make some noise in the NFL.