Several young players on the Baltimore Ravens improved their stock in the preseason opener. Still, nobody did more to increase their odds of earning a roster spot than rookie LaJohntay Wester. Selected late in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Colorado product faced an uphill battle to make the Week 1 roster. The Ravens have multiple proven receivers in Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and veteran DeAndre Hopkins, so Wester needed to make an impact on special teams to earn his keep.
So far, he’s done exactly that. The rookie made perhaps the biggest play of the night, taking a punt all the way to the house for an 87-yard touchdown. Granted, it’s only the preseason, but an impressive showing like this could earn him a job. However, one man’s gain is another man’s loss, and if LaJohntay Wester becomes the team’s top punt returner, it could spell the end of veteran Tylan Wallace.
LaJohntay Wester Ravens
Mar 1, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Colorado wideout Lajohntay Wester (WO46) during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
RAVENS ROOKIE LAJOHNTAY WESTER WITH A PUNT RETURN TD 🔥
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LaJohntay Wester Could Replace Tylan Wallace on Ravens Roster
Much like Wester, Tylan Wallace projects as a pure special teams player who might see one or two snaps on offense per game. During his four years in the NFL, the wide receiver has recorded just 18 receptions for 260 yards and one touchdown. While this isn’t too impressive, he has earned a living in the return game. He’s currently atop the team’s depth chart as the primary punt returner, but that could change following Wester’s strong showing.
While the Ravens re-signed Wallace earlier in the year, he’s not too expensive to cut. Wallce currently carries a minuscule $1.36 million cap hit, and Baltimore can save $750,000 by releasing him. Basically, if LaJohntay Wester turns out to be the better option, Tylan Wallace may not return for his fifth season with the Baltimore Ravens.
Main Photo: Michael Ciaglo – Imagn Images