Steelers depth chart prediction: How will Mike Tomlin roll out the starting lineup?

The Pittsburgh Steelers will kick off their 2023 season at home against the San Francisco 49ers next week, which means we will soon find out what their very first depth chart looks like. Recently, Mike Tomlin was forced to cut his 90-man summer roster down to just 53 players in order to be roster-compliant by the start of the season.

While we don't know exactly how the Steelers depth chart is going to look to begin the season, we have a pretty good feel for which players will get the most looks early in the year. Player roles can certainly change throughout the course of a season, but for now, here's what Pittsburgh's first official depth chart could look like.

Quarterback:

1. Kenny Pickett
2. Mitch Trubisky
3. Mason Rudolph

This one is really quite self-explanatory. Based on the pecking order dating back to when Kenny Pickett was named the starter last season, we know that nothing has changed. Pickett is the obvious starter this year, and Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph will fall in line as QB2 and QB3, respectively. Trubisky will be the first man up in the event of an injury to Pickett.

Running back:

1. Najee Harris
2. Jaylen Warren
3. Anthony McFarland Jr.

Matt Canada put the running back debate to bed when he said that there is no competition for the starting running back job in Pittsburgh. You can disagree with him if you choose, but Najee Harris will be the starting running back heading into the 2023 season. Jaylen Warren could carve out a big role as the rotational back and third-down back this, while Anthony McFarland will get the occasional carry as the RB3.

Fullback/H-back

1. Connor Heyward

Call him a fullback, tight end, H-back, or whatever you want; it doesn't really matter. Connor Heyward is just a football player, and with Derek Watt no longer with the team, the Steelers are likely to pencil in Heyward as their lone 'fullback' in 2023.

Wide receiver:

1. Diontae Johnson
2. George Pickens
3. Allen Robinson II
4. Calvin Austin III
5. Miles Boykin
6. Gunner Olszewski

Just because Diontae Johnson is listed first here doesn't make him any more important. The big thing to note is that Johnson and George Pickens will be the duo of outside starting wide receivers this year. Johnson and Pickens could alternate between the 'X' and 'Z' receiver roles, depending on the formation.

Allen Robinson is projected to be the starting slot receiver early this season, but Calvin Austin will earn plenty of work here as well. Miles Boykin is primarily a special teams player who will only see the field in emergency situations (or as a blocker on running downs). He will be back up on the outside with Gunner Olszewski rounding out the depth chart at the position.