PITTSBURGH — Moments after the 2023 NFL Draft concluded, Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin sat side by side in front of microphones to assess a pivotal weekend for the franchise. The seven-man draft class — which began with a trade up for Broderick Jones and ended with a seventh-round flier on versatile offensive lineman Spencer Anderson — will always hold a special place in team history as the first assembled with Khan in the GM chair.During that news conference, the then-head coach smiled as he anointed the first-year general manager the “Khan Artist.” Tomlin was careful, however, not to make any similarly flashy statements when talking about a draft class that, from the moment it was complete, received near-universal praise.“We feel good,” Tomlin said. “But obviously, the quality of this weekend will be played out over the next three to five years and in the careers of these people.”Well, here we are, three years later. In a world of knee-jerk reactions and instant draft-day grades, the window to evaluate the 2023 class is starting to open.Even though Jones has never truly played like a first-round pick and is now recovering from a neck injury that complicates his future, the depth of this class (which was always seen as the strength) is being reinforced by the team’s decision to lock up many of these players to long-term deals. Linebacker Nick Herbig began that process last week when he agreed to a four-year, $100 million contract extension. Tight end Darnell Washington followed with a four-year, $42 million extension. Defensive lineman Keeanu Benton should get his payday next, and, eventually, cornerback Joey Porter Jr. will likely earn money near the top of his position group.“I’m all for every one of them getting contracts,” new head coach Mike McCarthy said. “I think you should judge your draft classes on second contracts. The fact that we feel that good about that many guys tells you how good of a class it is.”The recent (and upcoming) contract extensions tell a similar story to those written on draft weekend years ago. My biggest takeaway in 2023 was that Khan found value in the middle rounds with players who also addressed needs. That has continued to be true.