PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers take on the New York Jets in their second preseason contest, and the excitement is brewing. Young quarterbacks Will Howard and Drew Allar will split the game, and their performance could dictate how this depth chart shakes out for the regular season. Quarterback is not the only position the Steelers are closely monitoring. Across both sides of the ball, there are players facing intense scrutiny and battling for a roster spot. These five players stand out as the ones with the most to prove in the second preseason contest. Spencer AndersonThe interior of the offensive line was supposed to be a strength that the staff didn’t even have to think twice about. Here we are, however, entering preseason game two and the right guard and right tackle positions are still up for grabs. Spencer Anderson can end that debate with a strong run to open the game against the Jets, he just has to be that player who skyrocketed up the team’s depth chart in 2025. Kaleb JohnsonIt’s quite incredible how far Kaleb Johnson’s star has fallen. A former highly-touted third round pick, he’s now on the cusp of being released when roster cutdown day arrives. Johnson has remained confident in the face of struggle, however. He recently told reporters how excited he was to get his chance in the coming contest. If he receives significant carries, he has to make them count in order to salvage a place in Pittsburgh. Aug 03, 2026; Latrobe, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Gabriel Rubio (96) participates in a practice session at Training camp at Saint Vincent College. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectGabe Rubio A true afterthought when this 2026 NFL Draft was finished, that reputation has been completely erased. Gabe Rubio looks like a young, run-stuffing interior defensive lineman. He was a force in the preseason opener, and he’s rapidly climbed the depth chart in the process. Doneiko Slaughter Man, I have been extremely impressed with Doneiko Slaughter’s work this summer. With Brandin Echols and Jalen Ramsey out with injuries, Slaughter has assumed the primary starting slot corner role. He looked excellent in training camp and made a few nice plays in the preseason opener. Now, he has to show that wasn’t a fluke. If he can lock down the slot and make a few more standout plays against the Jets, Slaughter might seal his spot. Kaden WetjenMcCarthy hasn’t been vocally critical of many players during training camp, but rookie returner and receiver Kaden Wetjen drew the ire of the new head coach. He stated on more than one occasion that Wetjen must clean up many parts of his game in order to become the versatile threat the team is seeking. A strong performance against the Jets can help show that he’s learning and progressing, however. And that’s exactly what he must show in order to secure his spot on the roster. Make sure to bookmark Steelers On SI, and find our podcast All Steelers Talk on YouTube or anywhere you listen!Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow