The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for their final preseason game of 2024 on Saturday, traveling to take on the Detroit Lions in front of a national audience. 

With Coach Tomlin announcing on Thursday that all of those who are healthy will play, and the back end of the roster will receive their shot to make a lasting impression, it's now or never to win a roster battle. 

So here is how things project to shake out on the depth chart after the final whistle in Detroit. 

Note: Players with single asterisk (*) are 2024 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2024 undrafted free agents. 

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Quarterbacks

Starter: Russell Wilson
Reserve: Justin Fields, Kyle Allen

The skinny: The truth of the matter here is that while it has been labeled as a competition since the start of camp, this battle never really existed. Fields looked more dynamic last week as Wilson struggled in his debut, but I expect a better performance against the Lions, a game in which Wilson will start and subsequently end any QB discourse. 

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Running backs

Starters: Najee Harris & Jaylen Warren
Reserve: Cordarrelle Patterson

The skinny: Harris and Warren are back and looking to build off what has quietly become one of the better RB tandems in the league. Harris is certainly the lead dog and workhorse, especially with Jaylen Warren nursing a hamstring, but he will get in where he fits in. 

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Wide receivers

Starters: George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III
Reserves: Roman Wilson*, Scotty Miller, Dez Fitzpatrick

The skinny: There's a chance this room and depth chart looks very different in light of the Brandon Aiyuk saga, but for now, we are projecting what we have to work with. And with rookie Roman Wilson still on the mend with his ankle injury, Calvin Austin III works in as the starting slot. 

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Tight ends

Starters: Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington
Reserves: Connor Heyward, MyCole Pruitt

The skinny: The Steelers are going to employ 12 personnel (two tight end sets) at an all-time high in 2024, with Arthur Smith's TE-friendly offense looking to take over a scheme that was way too static in the past. 

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Offensive linemen

Starters: LT Broderick Jones, LG Isaac Seumalo, C Zach Frazier*, RG James Daniels, RT Troy Fautanu*
Reserves: OT Dan Moore Jr., OT Dylan Cook, OG Mason McCormick*, OG Spencer Anderson

The skinny: No position group has the opportunity for more surprises, but the belief is that if and when Troy Fautanu returns to health, he will start at RT, Broderick Jones will move to LT and Dan Moore Jr. will be the swing tackle. With Nate Herbig hitting the I.R., backup center could be a position Pittsburgh targets during the cutdown period. 

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Defensive linemen-EDGE Defenders 

Starters: ED T.J. Watt, DE Cam Heyward, NT Keeanu Benton, DE Larry Ogunjobi, ED Alex Highsmith
Reserves: ED Nick Herbig, DE Dean Lowry, DE Isaiahh Loudermilk, DE DeMarvin Leal, NT Montravius Adams, ED Jeremiah Moon

The skinny: The final spot in the group will likely come down to either Jeremiah Moon or Kyron Johnson as the last pass rusher. As Coach Tomlin says, "in-stadium" fixtures matter much more than practice with the Lions game being the last determinant. 

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Inside Linebackers

Starters: Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts 
Reserves: Payton Wilson, Tyler Matakevich, Mark Robinson 

The skinny: With Cole Holcomb either slated to hit the I.R. or even be off the roster entirely, the signing of Matakevich and the development of Mark Robinson are much needed for depth. 

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Cornerbacks

Starters: Joey Porter Jr., Donte Jackson, Beanie Bishop** 
Reserves: Cory Trice Jr. Thomas Graham Jr. 

The skinny: The Steelers are certainly concerned about the slot CB role, with rookie UDFA Beanie Bishop slated to be the starting slot or nickel corner until Cam Sutton returns from his suspension. 

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Safeties

Starters: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott 
Reserves: Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew

The skinny: Rookie Ryan Watts could make the team as a fifth safety, with Pittsburgh looking to trim the roster elsewhere, but that seems unlikely given other team needs. 

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Specialists

First Team: LS Christian Kuntz, P/H Cameron Johnston, K Chris Boswell 

The skinny: This grouping has been set since the offseason. 

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Kick returners

Kick Returners: Cordarrelle Patterson, Jaylen Warren
Punt Returners: Scotty Miller, Roman Wilson

The skinny: This grouping is subject to change, but it seems fairly obvious that Pittsburgh signed Patterson to be their starting kick returner, with Miller and Wilson having experience as punt returners. 

Steelers veteran unlikely to receive a shot to defend his roster spot in preseason finale

His time in Pittsburgh may be coming to an end.