It appears four rookies will start on offense for the Pittsburgh Steelers in their regular-season opener.

The team released its depth chart Monday, and each of its top four draft picks were listed as first-teamers on offense: running back Najee Harris, tight end Pat Freiermuth (shared with veteran Eric Ebron), center Kendrick Green and left tackle Dan Moore Jr.

While it was expected after Zach Banner was placed on injured reserve last week, Moore’s designation as a starter is the first public acknowledgment of such by the Steelers. While the depth chart is nonbinding, Moore has been running with the first-team offense at practice the past two weeks.

Harris, the No. 1 pick from Alabama, was assured of being a starter, and third-round pick Green has run with the first teamers all of training camp as the Steelers move on from longtime center Maurkice Pouncey.

A fourth-round pick out of Texas A&M, Moore was not initially expected to start this season. But with Banner not recovered from a torn ACL, the Steelers moved Chuks Okorafor from left tackle to the right side and inserted Moore in to start at the position he played in college at Texas A&M.

The Steelers practiced Monday in advance of the Sunday opener at the Buffalo Bills, but team policy prohibits the media from reporting observations about the depth chart from practices.

A second-rounder out of Penn State, Freiermuth has outperformed Ebron during camp. Both, however, are expected to have significant roles. The depth chart release is mandated by league rules carries zero tangible weight in regards to playing time. However, that the Steelers felt compelled to promote a rookie to the same level as an established starter and eight-year veteran is a strong tacit acknowledgment of Freiermuth’s standing.

Numbers game

Joe Schobert publicly said the No. 45 he wore during his two preseason games with the Steelers was temporary, and that became official when the veteran starting inside linebacker was in a No. 83 jersey.

Rookie position mate Buddy Johnson switched to No. 45. He’d worn No. 51 during offseason workouts and training camp but the Steelers added veteran guard Trai Turner in June and Turner also took No. 51.

New acquisition Ahkello Witherspoon donned No. 25. The veteran cornerback came via a trade announced with the Seattle Seahawks announced Friday.

The three veteran players who last week were added to the practice squad from outside the organization were assigned No. 30 (former WVU safety Karl Joseph), No. 82 (wide receiver Steven Sims) and No. 48 (outside linebacker Derek Tuszka). Rookie defensive lineman Daniel Archibong, who was also signed to the practice squad last week, was assigned No. 61.

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