It's been a rough start for the 2024 version of the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Down 0-2 against the Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills, the offense has been concerning, while the defense remains strong. 

With Bulls and Bears all over, the roster is in flux following Saturday's game. 

So with one game left on the preseason marquee, now is the time to analyze how the final roster projects. 

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

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Quarterback (3)

In: Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen
Out: John Rhys Plumlee**

The Skinny: Russell Wilson made his much-anticipated debut on Saturday, only it was anything but exciting. Managing just 47 yards on eight attempts while taking three sacks, the performance allowed Justin Fields to inch closer to the starting role, though both are locks to make the team. 

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Running back (3)

In: Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson
Out: LaMichael Perine, Jonathan Ward, Aaron Shampklin, Jack Colletto, Daijun Edwards**

The Skinny: Perine was the lead back on Saturday when it came to yardage, trailing only Justin Fields in terms of total rushing for the night. If not for Patterson being a part of the return team, I would expect Perine to be a potential roster candidate. 

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Wide receiver (6)

In: George Pickens, Roman Wilson*, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, Scotty Miller, Quez Watkins
Out: Duece Watts, Dez Fitzpatrick, Jaray Jenkins, Jacob Copeland, T.J. Luther

The Skinny: The battle for the sixth and final spot in the WR room is seemingly changing by the day, and that's not accounting for the looming trade rumors. Following Saturday's game, it could be a three-way tie between Watkins, Fitzpatrick, and Watts, all of whom have shown promise at different points in camp. 

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Tight end (3)

IN: Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, 
Out: Mycole Pruitt, Rodney Williams, Matt Sokol

The Skinny: The highlight of this group following training camp was second-year player Darnell Washington. Looking to be used heavily in Arthur Smith's tight end-friendly offense, the big man figures to contribute at an increased rate in 2024, with names like Heyward working into the mix as part of Smith's heavy personnel packages. 

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Offensive line (9)

In: Broderick Jones (RT), James Daniels (RG), Zach Frazier* (C), Isaac Seumalo (LG), Troy Fautanu* (LT), Dan Moore Jr., Mason McCormick* Nate Herbig, Spencer Anderson
Out: Ryan McCollum, Devery Hamilton, Tyler Beach, Anderson Hardy, Dylan Cook, Joey Fisher, Tykeem Doss

The Skinny: Broderick Jones has had a rough start to 2024, with the game against the Bills being one he wants to forget, and fast. How the entire situation plays out between him, Troy Fautanu, and Dan Moore Jr. will be very interesting, but the team has their tackles. 

The center position is also in flux following what is believed to be a serious injury to Nate Herbig, with rookie Zach Frazier now thrust into the starting lineup. 

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Defensive line (7)

In: Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, Cameron Heyward, Dean Lowry, DeMarvin Leal, Montravius Adams, Logan Lee*
Out: Isaiahh Loudermilk, Spencer Marquiss, Jonathan Marshall, Jacob Slade, Willington Previlon

The Skinny: One of the strongest units on the team, the defensive line has been a force in both camp and the preseason, continuing their dominance on Saturday, with names like Larry Ogunjobi and Keeanu Benton stealing the show. 

Not much change behind them with fairly stock performances from the rest of the unit against Buffalo. 

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Linebacker (8)

In: T.J. Watt (EDGE), Patrick Queen, (ILB) Elandon Roberts (ILB), Alex Highsmith (EDGE) Cole Holcomb (ILB), Nick Herbig (EDGE) Payton Wilson* (ILB) Jeremiah Moon (EDGE)
Out: Tyler Matakevich (ILB), Mark Robinson (ILB), Kyron Johnson (EDGE), Julius Welschof** (EDGE) Jacoby Windmon** (EDGE) Luquay Washington** (ILB)

The Skinny: Holcomb is still scheduled to make the team in this projection, but the starter from 2023 has yet to practice at all in camp, leaving some to hypothesize that he will be on his way out of town.

At the EDGE position, the fourth spot is wide open following the sudden retirement of Markus Golden, with Jeremiah Moon, Kyron Johnson, and Julius Welschof all having moments through camp and the preseason. 

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Cornerback (6)

In: Joey Porter Jr., Donte Jackson, Cam Sutton, Cory Trice Jr., Darius Rush, Beanie Bishop**
Out: Thomas Graham Jr., Kalon Barnes, Anthony Averett, Grayland Arnold, Kyler McMichael, Kiondre Thomas

The Skinny: Following a trip to the injured reserve for Grayland Arnold during the final week of practice in Latrobe, the slot CB role is Beanie Bishop's for the taking. Thomas Graham will need to push Bishop for the job as the rest of the CB spots seemed wrapped up at this point of the preseason. 

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Safety (5)

In: Minah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Damontae Kazee, Miles Killebrew, Ryan Watts*
Out: Jalen Elliott, 

The Skinny: Rookie UDFA Ryan Watts is looking to make the team and he has had a strong first impression in camp. If he can find a way to carry over his ball-hawking skills from practice to a preseason game, he may be a lock for the final 53 and force Pittsburgh to trim the roster elsewhere. Watts led the team in tackles on Saturday and is trending up in terms of players who are winning a roster spot. 

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Specialists (3)

In: Chris Boswell (K), Cameron Johnston (P), Christian Kuntz (LS)
Out: Matthew Wright (K)

The Skinny: Punter Cameron Johnston has been a revelation in the special teams unit, catching the eye of many with his booming punts and long hang time. One of the few bright spots against the Bills, his field position and Chris Boswell's field goal were the only reason why Pittsburgh was able to keep the game close. 

Steelers rookie is on track to make the 53-man roster despite the rest of the NFL forgetting to draft him

This group is feeling good about their Week 2 performance.