The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for their first preseason game against the Houston Texans on Friday night, and the competition for roster spots is reaching its peak. With the preseason game and the third week of training camp coinciding, the Steelers find themselves stronger at some positions than others.

One area that will see fierce competition is the offensive line. The addition of three rookie draft picks has intensified the battle for a spot on the roster. Unless General Manager Omar Khan makes a trade, the coaching staff will face tough decisions when it comes to finalizing the offensive line lineup.

However, the Steelers have other position groups that still need to be sorted out. Injuries have clouded the situation at running back and on the defensive line, leading to uncertainty in those areas. Additionally, the secondary needs to be organized, with some younger players expected to take on early-season roles due to Cam Sutton's impending eight-game suspension.

As the preseason progresses, the Steelers will have many more decisions to make in the coming weeks. The first projection of their 53-man roster has been released, shedding light on the potential makeup of the team.

At the quarterback position, the projections include Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, and Kyle Allen. John Rhys Plumlee, an undrafted free agent, is being experimented with as a returner on special teams and may find himself on the practice squad.

Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are the projected running backs, as Cordarrelle Patterson's hamstring injury has landed him on the non-football injury list. If he returns soon, Patterson could make the roster as a returner. However, for now, the Steelers are likely to stick with Harris and Warren in order to keep more receivers and tight ends.

Speaking of receivers, the projections include George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller, Calvin Austin III, and Quez Watkins. Miller's performance at the start of the season will be crucial, as one of the backups could be at risk when Patterson returns.

In the tight ends group, Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, and MyCole Pruitt make the cut. The arrival of Pruitt, who has previous experience playing under Arthur Smith in Atlanta and Tennessee, could impact the fate of Rodney Williams. Williams may be sent back to the practice squad, unless Special Teams Coordinator Danny Smith advocates for his roster spot.

On the offensive line, the projected roster includes Broderick Jones, James Daniels, Nate Herbig, Isaac Seumalo, Dan Moore, Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, and Spencer Anderson. Dylan Cook, who was part of the 53-man roster last season, is currently viewed as the odd man out. The Steelers' surplus of quality guards and the potential changes in the tackle positions may impact the final lineup.

Moving on to the defensive side, the projected defensive line consists of Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, DeMarvin Leal, Montravius Adams, Isaiahh Loudermilk, and Logan Lee. The group lacks depth beyond the starters, with Dean Lowry still on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. The Steelers will rely on Leal to step up as their top reserve, while Lowry's return could secure him a spot once he is healthy.

At inside linebacker, the projections include Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts, Payton Wilson, Mark Robinson, and Tyler Matakevich. Cole Holcomb will not count against the 53 due to being on the PUP list, and Matakevich's expertise in special teams makes him a valuable asset to the team.

The outside linebacker group is composed of T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, and Markus Golden. This lineup remains the same as the previous season, with Herbig expected to make major strides in his second year.

In the defensive backfield, the projected roster features Joey Porter Jr., Donte Jackson, Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Cory Trice Jr., Beanie Bishop, Grayland Arnold, Miles Killebrew, Damontae Kazee, and Ryan Watts. Cam Sutton's eight-game suspension will not count against the initial 53-man roster, and his return will significantly strengthen the secondary.

As special teams play a crucial role in the game, the Steelers are likely to continue with Chris Boswell as their place kicker and Christian Kuntz as their long snapper. Additionally, Punter Pressley Harvin III has been replaced by Jordan Johnston, who is expected to bring an upgrade to the position.

With preseason game one just around the corner, the Steelers' coaching staff will closely evaluate the performance of their players as they compete for roster spots. The coming weeks will be decisive in shaping the final 53-man roster, and Steelers fans eagerly await the team's first preseason outing to catch a glimpse of the potential stars of the upcoming season.