Jozy is gonna be the assumed starter going into qualifiers. Of course, the chance he is, and stays, healthy is like 20%. Zardes will be the first backup at this point. I too, hope that Weah impresses in these last few months of the season and gets a look in qualifiers. Jozy is good enough to play striker for the WC(if his level stays up), but we absolutely can't go into Qatar with Zardes as our #9, or even our first backup there. Sargent has to show quite a bit of improvement to even overtake Zardes IMO and we haven't really gotten to see anyone else with the full team, so it's hard to judge them.
Morris is gonna be a starting winger until one of Gio or Uly TAKE it from him. He's been arguably the USMNT's best player the last year, including Pulisic. While I have high hopes for both of those kids, they won't be taking Jordan's spot until they are everyday players at their clubs at least. Nips being hurt really sucks. Even if he wasn't a starter, he was a good enough sub and definitely would've helped, at least in the next year or two.
LB... ugh. Maybe Robinson gets that Milan move this summer and takes off? There are still a few years before the tourney so maybe Gloster makes massive improvements and is starting for PSV by then? Ugly all around.
Essentially I think we have 6 positions locked down for Qatar IMO. Pulisic will play either winger or #10, depending on everyone else's form. McKennie and Adams will hold the 6 and the 8 if healthy. Long will be one of the CBs. Steffen will be the GK. Dest will play fullback(hopefully RB, but maybe LB if no one else steps up there). I don't include Brooks because I'm scared of this injury business of his. Sounds like he's not even the first choice for his club anymore. I hope that he'll revert back to form because he was our best CB, but I can't say that for sure at this point, especially if he has already lost a step.
We have the potential to be a top 15-20 team going into Qatar if everyone comes good IMO, but we could also find ourselves in the 30-35 range if injuries/old age/guys not reaching potential happens. I think we are an incredibly shallow team wrt talent right now, so unless those kids achieve the heights we hope they will in the next 3 years it could be a struggle.