NFL Rumors: 5 Teams That Could Use Hines Ward's Veteran Leadership

It's a sad day in Steelers country, as Pittsburgh is set to release their 14-year veteran wide receiver, Hines Ward, who's been the face of the franchise for such a long time.

After Ward having the second worst statistical year of his career, with 381 yards and two touchdowns on only 46 receptions, the Steelers made the right decision by cutting ties, but that doesn't mean that his time in the NFL is over.

The Steelers cut Ward because they are deep at the wide receiver position, with Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown, and they need as much money as they can get to re-sign Pro Bowler Mike Wallace this offseason.

There are undoubtedly teams that could benefit from having Ward's veteran experience and proven leadership in their locker room.

Ahead is a list of five teams that could benefit from signing Ward to the $820,000 veteran minimum contract of this offseason.

Oakland Raiders

Last season the Oakland Raiders were one of the most inconsistent teams in the NFL because of the lack of leadership and experience they had on their team.

Despite their inconsistencies, the Raiders still were able to have the 11th best passing attack in the NFL, with an average of 247.6 yards per game. While that was good, it wasn't enough to help their team turn the corner and become a playoff contender again.

The Raiders don't need much more production from the wide receiver position, but they undoubtedly need leadership to help solidify their young receiving corps as one of the best in the league. That's exactly what Hines Ward could bring to the table.  

With young talent like Denarius Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey, the Raiders would be wise to bring in Ward to help them develop into more complete wideouts and better run blockers.

While this probably won't happen because the Steelers versus Raiders epic feud will be too difficult of a barrier to overcome, the Raiders would be wise to put their pride aside and try to land Ward moving into the 2012 NFL season.

Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos had the 31st ranked passing offense last season, with an average of only 151.2 yards per game, and while that was in large part due to Tim Tebow's inability to throw the ball, it also was because of the raw talent they have at the wide receiver position.

Adding a veteran receiver like Hines Ward won't turn Tebow into Tom Brady overnight, but it will undoubtedly help the development of one of the most exciting players in the NFL. Having a legitimate receiver willing to catch passes across the middle of the field is something that Tebow didn't have last year, and Ward would be able to bring that to the Broncos passing attack.

Ward's veteran experience and leadership would also benefit young receivers like Eric Decker, Demaryius Thomas and Eddie Royal.  If the Broncos want to move forward with Tebow as their franchise quarterback, they need veteran leadership at the wider receiver position to help him and the wide receivers develop.

For the NFL veteran minimum of $820,000, Hines Ward would be a solid option for the Broncos, who will undoubtedly be looking to improve their passing attack in the upcoming 2012 NFL season.

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears had one of the worst passing attacks in the NFL last season, with an average of only 188.2 yards per game, which ranked 26th in the NFL.

While that inefficiency in the passing game was in large part due to Jay Cutler's inconsistent play, and the offensive line's inability to protect him, there's no doubt that the Bears wide receivers are weak when it comes to catching passes across the middle of the field.

If there's one thing Hines Ward is known for throughout his NFL career, it's his toughness as a wide receiver and his ability to catch passes in the heart of opposing teams' defenses. I know Ward is coming off a season in which he suffered from a concussion, and he's not the same receiver he once was, but for the price that will associated with Ward the Bears would be smart to at least give him an opportunity. 

The Bears have a legitimate downfield threat in Johnny Knox and an above-average possession receiver in Roy Williams, but that doesn't matter if the Bears can't throw the ball down the middle of the field. By adding Ward, Chicago would also be adding veteran leadership, which is something that they've lacked the past few seasons. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a decent passing attack last season with an average of 228.1 yards per game, which ranked 16th in the NFL, their lack of maturity and experience on the offensive side of the ball held them back from reaching their true potential.

With guys like Mike Williams, Preston Parker and Arrelious Benn, the Buccaneers have one of the most explosive wider receiving corps in the NFL, but they also have one of the least disciplined and most immature recieving corps as well.  

Anyone who watched the Buccaneers last season saw how quarterback Josh Freeman was limited by the sloppy and inconsistent routes his receivers ran, and that's something that Hines Ward can come in and change.

Ward is known for his disciplined route running and his legitimacy as a run-blocking receiver, which are both areas that the Buccaneers need serious help with.

Bringing in Ward for the relatively low cost of the NFL veteran minimum wouldn't be a bad move to make for Tampa Bay because it would be a way to help solidify the talent they have by making them more disciplined and more complete receivers.

Leadership and experience are two of the most valuable traits in the NFL, and Ward could bring both of them to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who desperately need an increase in both.  

Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins are going to be a very active team in the coming weeks leading up to the 2012 NFL draft, as many experts believe that they will be going after St. Louis's No. 2 pick in hopes of grabbing Robert Griffin III.

While that move would undoubtedly be the smartest move the Redskins could make moving forward, it's going to cost them, especially when it comes to draft picks in this year's draft. If the Redskins are able to move up and grab RGIII with the No. 2 pick in the draft, they'll still have plenty of gaps to fill around their roster that they will have to do in free agency, rather than in the draft.

One of those holes that the Redskins will be looking to fill is at the wide receiver position, and while Ward might not be the most explosive offensive wider receiver available in free agency, he undoubtedly is one of the most experienced and the smartest available.

Washington would be smart to add Ward to their roster for one main reason, and that is because he has the leadership, experience and understanding of the league that would help make Robert Griffin III's transition into the NFL that much easier.

I know Ward doesn't have another 1,000-yard season left in him, but what he could teach RGIII in the locker room and in practice would surely be a valuable asset to have moving forward in the 2012 NFL season.

Who do you think, if anyone, will go after Hines Ward? Let your thoughts known in the comment section below.