Casey Hayward (29) has been the most impressive defensive back and overall rookie in camp so far. Credit: Mark Hoffman

By of the

Green Bay - Casey Hayward has covered so well three days into training camp that it's entirely possible he could become just the Green Bay Packers' eighth cornerback in more than 50 years to start as a rookie.

The next-to-last choice in the second round, Hayward thus far has been exactly the ball-hawking type player that general manager Ted Thompson expected after trading up to get him in April.

After intercepting Graham Harrell in a team drill without pads Friday, Hayward picked him off again Saturday in pads and was sensational in his first two turns in the one-on-one coverage drill.

Lumped behind Tramon Williams, Jarrett Bush, Sam Shields and Davon House when training camp opened, Hayward has been the most impressive defensive back and overall rookie so far.

"Picking up the defense well and making plays," Williams said. "If he keeps making those plays he's definitely going to push."

There is still much for the Packers to learn about Hayward.

Described by many scouts as a zone corner with modest speed, it remains to be seen if Hayward has the pure talent to start outside.

Before the draft, some scouts had reservations about his tackling. The Packers won't know anything about that until the exhibition games.

At 5 feet 11½ inches, Hayward is well above the 5-10 standard the Packers adhere to at cornerback. But his arms were measured at just 30¼ inches at the combine (and 29¾ at Vanderbilt pro day), well below the cornerback combine average of 31 5/8.

Hayward's vertical jump of 34 inches was 3½ below the combine norm at the position. His short arms, small hands (9) and moderate explosiveness will be tested by Detroit's Calvin Johnson, Chicago's Brandon Marshall and the other big wide receivers in the National Football League.

Be that as it may, Hayward's ability to decipher routes, mirror receivers and attack the ball has been so acute early that, at this rate, the Packers will have to find somewhere to play him.

"Probably the best thing about him right now as a rookie is he understands the schemes and what people are trying to do to him," wide receiver James Jones said. "As a rookie, he's smart. He's going to be good."

Bush has been OK as the No. 1 right cornerback, both in base and nickel. Shields seems to be regressing. Though talented, House remains very rough around the edges.

When the Packers debuted their 4-1 dime defense Saturday, it was Williams and either Shields or House outside, Charles Woodson and Bush in the slot and Morgan Burnett and M.D. Jennings at safety.

About an hour later, the coaches gave Hayward his first promotion, inserting him as the slot and moving Bush outside with Williams.

"When you get better, you get closer to that (starting) level," Hayward said. "I'm ready for the opportunity. I'm just trying to learn from these guys and learn this playbook.

"I would say my style is more Asante Samuel. Instinctive guy. Or Brent Grimes. He's athletic but very instinctive."

If Hayward proves he can be more than the slot nickel back some teams pigeonholed him as, he certainly could beat out Bush.

Then he would join Ken Ellis (1970), Willie Buchanon ('72), Tim Lewis ('83), Terrell Buckley ('92), Craig Newsome ('95), Mike McKenzie ('99) and Ahmad Carroll ('04) as rookie starters at cornerback.

On Friday, Harrell threw outside during an end-of-game situation and Hayward intercepted.

"I was in the slot in nickel," said Hayward. "We were in some man concept. They either run vertical, the in or the out. I guessed the out because they were running 2-minute and was able to get a pick."

Hayward's interception Saturday came on a first-down slant in which he read the pattern and ripped the ball away from Diondre Borel.

Earlier, in the one-on-ones, Hayward lined up with inside leverage against Borel trying to deny the slant. Borel tried two or three moves but couldn't shake Hayward, who then broke on the 5-yard dig route and knocked the ball away.

"It actually was a real good route by Borel," said Jones. "He bobbed and weaved, then ran the cross. But (Hayward) just closed on it and broke it down. Good play."

A few minutes later, Hayward was matched against Jordy Nelson. It was hard to say if the pass was dropped or deflected, but either way Hayward had extremely tight coverage.

"He ran a slant on me," said Hayward, who was a prep quarterback in Perry, Ga. "He gave me an outside release and I took the inside away. He immediately came back inside. Instead of whipping deep, I whipped at an angle inside and was able to stay on his hip."

Minus pass rush and other players, the receiver has an enormous advantage in the drill. To see Hayward, in the first padded one-on-ones of his NFL career, smother his opponent both times was startling.

When Jones tried to test Hayward deep off play-action in 11-on-11s Friday, the rookie matched him stride for stride and the pass was overthrown.

"Playing in the SEC, I played against A.J. Green, Alshon Jeffery, all those guys," said Hayward. "I pressed those guys. Like today, I was pressing in the slot, especially in the one on ones, and I held my own.

"I've been holding my own since I've been playing this game."

Early in camp, Hayward has done far more than just hold his own.