Right off the bat, forget everything you thought you knew about player trajectories. Development ain't always a straight line, and neither are careers in this league. For some guys, it's been a tough road with injuries or coaching shifts, but guess what? A few veterans are absolutely primed to remind everyone what they can do in 2026. These are the dudes ready to flip the script, ready to put that adversity in the rearview mirror and make some serious noise.
The Comeback Kid and the Line Boss
Man, talk about a gut punch. Texans wideout Tank Dell was an absolute beast, averaging 49 receptions in each of his first two seasons. He was that explosive threat, a go-to guy for C.J. Stroud, the kind of target that makes defenses sweat. Then, BAM, a significant injury took him out for *all* of the 2025 season. Ouch. Now, with more weapons like Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel, and Nico Collins in the mix, he might not be a high-volume guy right away. But the hope, the pure, unadulterated hope, is that Dell can still stretch the field. If he does, he'll set the table not just for the Texans' offense, but for the rest of his career. That's high stakes right there. Meanwhile, over on the offensive line, Spencer Burford is ready for a fresh start. This guard started 29 regular-season games in his first two years with the 49ers, but then saw his starts plummet to just nine across 2024 and 2025. It wasn't always easy, even playing alongside Trent Williams. But get this: Burford is now in what’s being called a "better situation," sandwiched between Kolton Miller and Tyler Linderbaum. Yeah, there are some deficiencies in his game, no doubt. But new head coach Klint Kubiak has shown he can relieve stress on his offensive line with his scheme. This could be exactly what Burford needs to finally shine consistently.The Return to Roots and the Bright Spot
Then there's Dre Greenlaw. This dude had a fantastic run with the 49ers, parlaying it into a sweet, lucrative contract from the Broncos. But his lone season in Denver? Rough. He missed nine games, even though he was productive when he *was* on the field. Durability has been a real concern for the 29-year-old. But the talk is he's returning to the system that developed him, back alongside Fred Warner. Plus, former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris got hired to replace new Titans head coach Robert Saleh. Getting back into that familiar system could absolutely be the spark Greenlaw needs to get back on an upward trajectory. We've seen it before, guys finding their groove again in a familiar setup. And don't sleep on Kader Kohou. This cornerback was a legit bright spot in a Miami secondary that really struggled. The guy was a beacon, making plays when others weren't. But just like Dell, injury struck hard, and he missed the entire 2025 season recovering. You gotta wonder how hungry he's gonna be coming back, ready to prove he's still that lockdown corner. As we look ahead to the 2026 season, these aren't just names; these are stories unfolding. These vets are staring down huge opportunities. Will Dell reclaim his explosive form for the Texans? Can Greenlaw get back to dominating in a system he knows? Will Burford finally cement himself as a reliable starter? And can Kohou pick up right where he left off? Every snap, every tackle, every reception this season is going to be about these guys proving what they're truly made of. Get ready, folks, because the fight for a comeback is always the best show in town!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.