Patriots cornerback: Steelers’ JuJu Smith-Schuster not among NFL's best receivers

Three days before JuJu Smith-Schuster’s debut as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ No. 1 receiver, did one of the players who will be tasked to defend Smith-Schuster diss him?

New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson had an exchange with Boston-area radio reporter Ryan Hannable that suggests so, according to a post to Hannable’s verified Twitter account.

Hannable, who works for WEEI radio, tweeted he asked Jackson about facing the league’s best receivers now that he’s in his second pro season.

Jackson didn’t know to whom Hannable was referring, and when told Smith-Schuster was “one of” the best receivers in the NFL, Hannable wrote that Jackson rolled his eyes.

Q: You’re not buying JuJu being one of the best WRs in the league?

J.C. Jackson: “In my opinion, I don’t think so. There’s a lot of good receivers in the NFL."

Q: What do you see in him?

JC: “I mean, he’s a great receiver, I’m not saying that. He’s a good football player."

— Ryan Hannable (@RyanHannable) September 5, 2019

“In my opinion, I don’t think (Smith-Schuster is one of the best receivers in the league),” Jackson said, according to Hannable. “There’s a lot of good receivers in the NFL.”

Jackson seemed to soften his stance moments later.

“I mean, he’s a great receiver, I’m not saying (he’s not),” Jackson said. “He’s a good football player.”

Last season, Smith-Schuster ranked fifth in the league in receiving yards with 1,426 and tied for sixth in catches with 111.

Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.