NFL: 6 Vets Who Will Make the Best Future Head Coaches

Every team in the NFL has its fair share of leaders, but not all of those players have what it takes to be a head coach in the league once their playing career comes to an end.

Quarterbacks are typically looked upon favorably when it comes to transitioning to coaching because of their ability to work hard in the film room and understand what every player on their offense is supposed to be doing on every play.

Linebackers are very similar on defense, and that is why you will often see coaches from that position as well roaming the sidelines in the NFL.

The lockout has really brought to light which players have the leadership abilities to be coaches once they are done playing, and which players do not have those same attributes.

Here is a look at six NFL veterans who have the potential to be good coaches once their playing careers come to an end.

1. Mike Vrabel

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PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Mike Vrabel #50 of the Kansas City Chiefs walks from the field after a touchdown by the Philadelphia Eagles on September 27, 2009 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Vrabel was a leader while he was with the Patriots, and he has continued to lead for the Chiefs defense in Kansas City.

While his play has been less than spectacular for the Chiefs, he has still been a great asset for many of the team's young defenders.

Kansas City had a pretty good season on defense last year despite starting a lot of young players, and Vrabel did a lot to help the new guys along.

2. Drew Brees

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints throws the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Get

Brees was already known as a great leader before the lockout started, but he has really risen to the challenge since the NFL's operations shut down.

Brees has been instrumental in putting the Saints workouts together during the lockout, and he has gone to a whole new level when it comes to leadership over the last month or so.

We already knew the five-time Pro Bowler was smart, but now he is proving to have the organizational and leadership qualities necessary to be a NFL coach.

3. Chris Snee

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 27: Chris Snee #76 of the New York Giants against the Carolina Panthers at Giants Stadium on December 27, 2009 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Snee is a valuable member of the Giants offensive line, and one of the main reasons I could see him getting into coaching is the fact that he is married to Tom Coughlin's daughter, and he could learn the ropes from him.

Obviously as an NFL player, he already has a good idea of how to coach technique and teach those aspects to his players, but Coughlin could help him with the organizational aspects and anything else he may need.

Although, the fact that he is married to his coach's daughter could also be a determent when it comes to coaching once he is done playing because he already has a good idea of how much time and effort it takes. 

4. James Farrior

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 01: James Farrior #51 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during Super Bowl XLV Media Day ahead of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 1, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. The Pittsburgh Steelers will play the Green Bay Packers

Farrior is the Steelers leader in the locker room, and he would be a great coach once his playing career comes to an end.

The two-time Pro Bowler doesn't get as much attention as some of his teammates, such as Troy Polamalu and James Harrison, but he is still a very important part of the Pittsburgh defense.

I could definitely see Farrior coaching in the future; Ray Lewis on the other hand, not so much—so don't even bother in the comment section. He'll be busy fighting crime if there is no football season.

5. Peyton Manning

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts looks on during warm ups against the New York Jets during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ph

I'm not sure Manning wants to be a coach when his career is finished, but I do believe he would make a good one if he chooses to do so.

Manning might as well be a coach already for the Colts when it comes to their offense, as he is famous for his audibles at the line of scrimmage, and his ability to dissect opposing defense.

Manning is clearly one of the league's brightest minds, and he has the work ethic in the film room to be a NFL head coach once his playing days are behind him.

6. Brian Waters

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 07: Kansas City Chiefs guard Brian Waters accepts his 2009 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year before Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Brian Waters has been one of the NFL's top guards for nearly a decade now, and he has been an integral part of some very good Kansas City Chiefs offensive lines.

Last season Chiefs coach Todd Haley had many of his veterans act as position coaches during the team's bye week, and Waters was in charge of the offensive line.

The five-time Pro Bowler has been an outstanding player for the Chiefs, but he is also a great person as evidenced by the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award that he won in 2009.