The Baltimore Ravens participate nan 2026 play pinch a operation of anticipation and uncertainty, peculiarly erstwhile it comes to their young talent.
Among nan newcomers, Emery Jones Jr. and LaJohntay Wester guidelines retired arsenic players who could instantly effect nan team’s future. Both were late-round selections, yet each possesses nan devices and athleticism to lend meaningfully if fixed nan opportunity.
Emery Jones Jr., selected precocious successful nan 3rd round, is simply a defender whose operation of agility and section consciousness is uncommon for a rookie. After winning his matchups disconnected nan line, he perpetually scans nan defense, looking for ways to create abstraction and widen plays.
This past season, his snaps were limited, partially because nan coaching staff, contempt recognizing his potential, kept him disconnected nan section much than necessary. This upcoming season, Jones is expected to compete for a starting defender role. His expertise to stun walk rushers pinch an first move and create lanes successful some tally and walk protection makes him an instant difference-maker erstwhile connected nan field.
LaJohntay Wester, picked 203rd overall, finds himself successful a somewhat different situation. The Ravens’ offseason decisions will heavy power his usage rate, but there’s clear upside. Baltimore has an contiguous request astatine WR3, particularly pinch questions surrounding DeAndre Hopkins’ availability. While location are different options successful nan draught and free agency, Wester’s versatility is his calling card. He tin statement up outside, successful nan slot, and successful motion, offering a assortment of ways to beryllium progressive successful nan offense.
Sep 22, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Lajohntay Wester (83) makes a drawback against nan Detroit Lions during nan 2nd half astatine M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images | Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images
Opportunity Awaits
Wester’s biggest imaginable effect whitethorn travel arsenic a punt return specialist. Young players people make mistakes, and he had a muffed return against Cleveland past play that constricted his opportunities. The defense did not springiness Wester galore chances to return punts anyway, though nan Ravens look focused connected improving that broadside of nan ball, arsenic highlighted successful a recent question and reply with a erstwhile protect assistant.
Still, his explosiveness and section imagination make him perfect for flipping section position and creating momentum-changing plays. He could besides spot an expanded domiciled successful surface passes and short routes, allowing him to showcase his velocity successful unfastened space. With nan uncertainty surrounding nan Ravens’ coaching unit pursuing John Harbaugh’s firing and Todd Monken’s imaginable departure, Wester’s chance to gain meaningful reps is greater than ever.
Both Jones and Wester are successful positions wherever opportunity meets talent. If nan Ravens tin navigate nan modulation successful activity and violative accuracy wisely, these rookies could look arsenic foundational pieces. Jones’ powerfulness and imagination connected nan line, mixed pinch Wester’s velocity and versatility, springiness Baltimore 2 intriguing players to watch intimately successful 2026.
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