Carter's Classroom: JuJu vs. Browns' Ward next big thing ☕ taken at Rooney Complex (Steelers)

JUJU SMITH-SCHUSTER - MATT SUNDAY / DKPS

Everyone knows there's a lot riding on how JuJu Smith-Schuster steps into his role as the Steelers' top receiver and faces every team's top cornerback. I've written a lot about why he's ready and what factors will best benefit his 2019 campaign, but we need to talk about some of the better cornerbacks he'll face.

One of the younger emerging stars that he will face off with in key divisional games over the next several years is Denzel Ward from the Browns. Ward was the fourth overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft and burst onto the NFL scene with two interceptions of Ben Roethlisberger in the opening game last season, finishing the year with three interceptions, 11 passes defended and one forced fumble.

Ward lined up against Antonio Brown almost exclusively in both matchups last season, so it's safe to assume that Smith-Schuster will receive his full attention in 2019:

I wrote about Alejandro Villanueva vs. Myles Garrett, another pending major matchup in the 2019 battle for the AFC North. But the Smith-Schuster/Ward battle is in an element of the game the Steelers have dominated for years. Whether it was Brown, Mike WallaceSantonio Holmes or Hines Ward, the Steelers have often had receivers dominate the Browns.

Smith-Schuster can be counted in that group since his past three games against the Browns have included 18 catches on 24 targets for 295 yards and one touchdown. But in none of those matchups did he face the full attention of the defense.

Here's an example of Smith-Schuster working that back-shoulder chemistry with Roethlisberger. He faces T.J. Carrie, a former seventh-round pick of the Raiders. Smith-Schuster's release challenges Carrie to maintain inside leverage, giving him space to work the sideline. He then uses a stutter step to make Carrie think he's going deep, which gives him the space to turn and catch the ball:

Carrie's a 28-year-old veteran who has worked his way up to be a spot starter. But Ward is a pure talent who could someday be the best cornerback in the NFL. In his first NFL start, he went toe-to-toe with Brown and made tough plays in coverage. Watch how he protects against a back-shoulder throw to Brown, whose release is the best of the NFL.

He easily maintains his inside leverage without giving up position and runs step for step with Brown. When the ball is thrown he plays it perfectly and swats the pass away:

Ward has the potential to be the complete cornerback. He ran an unofficial lightning fast 4.32 40-yard dash and complements it with great footwork and willful physicality, and in his first NFL game he went back and forth with the NFL's top wideout.

Smith-Schuster and Ward may be a rivalry that dukes it out over the next 5-8 years and be a primetime matchup between two 22-year-old rising stars in the NFL.

MORE CARTER’S CLASSROOM

July 8: The cure for mobile QBs

July 5: Steelers needs more Conner-Nix

July 3: Bush's learning curve vs. big blockers

July 2: Ben’s mobility a red zone boost

July 1: Why Haden’s still vital

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