There's no such thing as a rebuilding year when you're coached by Mike Tomlin. That much was made clear by the Pittsburgh Steelers when they inexplicably avoided a losing record after starting the season 2-6 last year.

So when I say this is a big offseason for the Steelers, I don't mean it as in "they've got to rebuild the right way."

Instead, I mean it as if to say they can already take a big step forward and be actual contenders within the AFC North in 2023.

They've got their quarterback in Kenny Pickett. They've got weapons for him. And defensively, they have several game-changers starting with superstar T.J. Watt.

According to NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah, the Steelers are well-positioned to shape the roster with rookies with four picks in the Top 80.

"Those are four, you got four starters. I think you can get four starters with those four picks," said Jeremiah on a recent press conference call about the Steelers' 17th, 32nd, 48th, and 80th draft picks.

The renowned draft expert mentioned offensive line, cornerback, and "even more pass rush" as some of Pittsburgh's top needs.

But what Steelers Nation will absolutely love to hear is that Jeremiah believes that not only will there be worthy players available for the team but he also thinks they've got the right person running the show.

Omar Khan's first Draft for Steelers

There's something almost mythical about the way the Steelers are built. Everyone knows it's a tough, physical team. And as such, they're literally built differently.

When asked about the importance of this being Khan's first NFL Draft and offseason, Jeremiah made it clear that Khan isn't new to this.

"The good thing is Omar is smart," he said about Pittsburgh's GM. "Omar has been there. He knows what the Steelers are supposed to look like and how they're supposed to play."

While many would portray Khan as a rookie GM figuring out what the franchise needs, Jeremiah perceives it differently.

"I think their needs marry up very well with the draft, and I don't think it's something where you have a new GM coming in and trying to survey the landscape and figure out, you know, what do we need?"

And Khan has got the right help, too.

Last year, the Steelers hired Andy Weidl as assistant GM after a successful run with the Philadelphia Eagles. His hiring was specifically relevant considering he brought the scouting expertise that Khan – a salary cap guru – lacks.

"I think Andy Weidl coming over there, somebody I've known forever, and he is going to kind of bring his background with the Ravens and with the Eagles, and if you look at those teams and how they've been built and the sustained success similar to the Steelers in that it's a line of scrimmage organization," added Jeremiah.

"So I think they're philosophically aligned there."

And then, there's the secret sauce that keeps the Steelers from losing seasons: The Tomlin factor.

The team's coaching staff does a fantastic job developing guys quickly and getting them ready for NFL action. Although the AFC North is set up to be a very difficult one for years to come, you just can't dismiss the Steelers' chances.

With a good draft in 2023, they can be right in the thick of it come next season.

Featured image via Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports