Packers rookie cornerback Casey Hayward intercepts a pass intended for the Texans’ Keshawn Martin. Credit: Rick Wood

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Green Bay - The competition is fierce and nothing can be guaranteed, but it might not be wise to bet against Casey Hayward emerging as the Green Bay Packers' long-term answer at right cornerback opposite Tramon Williams.

Sunday afternoon in St. Louis will mark Hayward's first start. Sam Shields is out with a shin injury, and Davon House will be in uniform for the first time in 10 weeks.

Hayward and House, both 23, and the 24-year-old Shields all have the talent to start. It just could take another year or two to determine the ultimate order.

Hayward, the second-round draft choice, will replace Shields at right corner in the base defense and then return to the slot role in sub packages that he has held since Game 2.

Sufficiently healed from a left shoulder injury suffered Aug. 9, House has been chosen to play ahead of Jarrett Bush at right corner on passing downs.

After having played 38.8% of the snaps in the first six games, Hayward couldn't be more deserving of a chance to start.

"He's been playing at a pretty high level," cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt said Friday. "He does not play like a rookie. Thus far, he's been like a mature player."

In fact, Hayward has been little short of sensational in whatever the Packers have asked him to do.

Despite limited playing time, Hayward has intercepted three passes, a total that is two more than any other rookie cornerback in the league. Coordinator Dom Capers shook his head in amazement when he related that Hayward had two more picks Friday in practice.

"Some guys just get their hands on a lot of balls or come up with it," said Capers. "He's one of those guys."

Hayward had 15 interceptions in three seasons as a starter at Vanderbilt, stole a bunch more in training camp and has had three in the last two games.

Two of his regular-seasons picks were breathtaking, to say the least.

In Indianapolis, Capers called a rare six-man rush on third and 4 near midfield. That left Hayward in the slot man-to-man on Reggie Wayne, who had been eating the Packers up.

Wayne tried a double move on Hayward but the rookie didn't react, ran stride-for-stride with the veteran down the sideline and, at just the right moment, turned his head back and high-pointed the ball for the interception.

Last Sunday, Hayward was on the outside left in man coverage against Houston rookie Keshawn Martin. Once again, he mirrored the receiver deep, turned back and tipped the pass to himself for another pick.

Hayward's ball skills were obvious in college. What some scouts questioned was if he had the speed and explosiveness to be more than a slot defender or a starter in a Cover 2 system.

"I keep hearing he's a zone player but his most impactful plays have come in press man," said Whitt. "He's just a football player.

"He's not Charles Woodson. Don't say that. But he has more of Woodson's type qualities when it comes to the instinct, being able to get the ball, understanding route concepts."

Hayward, 5 feet 11½ inches and 192 pounds, has compared his style to Asante Samuel and Brent Grimes. He runs 40 yards in the low 4.5s, seems to recognize his limitations and doesn't lose track of where his help is.

"There's a lot of guys like him starting in the league," Capers said. "To me, it's all about who gets the job done. You've got to be careful with that stopwatch stuff."

Of the four cornerbacks drafted ahead of Hayward, three - Dallas' Morris Claiborne, Buffalo's Stephon Gilmore and St. Louis' Janoris Jenkins - are starting, and Cincinnati's Dre Kirkpatrick hasn't played a snap because of a knee injury.

The only other rookie starter is Carolina's Josh Norman.

The rookie nickel backs include Minnesota's Josh Robinson, Detroit's Bill Bentley, the Giants' Jayron Hosley, Philadelphia's Brandon Boykin, New Orleans' Corey White and Arizona's Jamell Fleming.

Gilmore leads the class in passes defensed with nine, followed by Jenkins with seven and Hayward with six.

Claiborne, Gilmore and Jenkins probably have had as many poor plays as good ones. That's typical for rookie cornerbacks, but through six games Hayward's consistency has been stunning.

Whitt, ever the realist, cited Hayward for one missed tackle, "a dropped route or two" and blitzing that needs improvement.

Hayward hasn't had a penalty, hasn't allowed a touchdown pass and hasn't allowed a completion for more than 20 yards.

According to Hayward, his worst play was the first of two slants (for 9 yards) that the Saints' Lance Moore caught on him in Game 4.

"I take gambles," said Hayward. "But you've got to guess right more than you guess wrong. Every week I'm getting better. I've just got to keep making plays."

Hayward pointed out that Williams and Shields, the defenders outside, might have a little tougher job than he has had in the slot.

Ten years from now, someone will make a judgment on the best cornerback from the 2012 draft class. Hayward is well aware of his competition, having played against the top four in the Southeastern Conference.

"It's too early to say," he said. "It's our first year. Hopefully, this year I'll have a good year and have one of the better seasons. But there are a lot of good guys on that list."

In their statistical analyses, the Packers were surprised to discover that Hayward was responsible for more third-down stops than anyone on defense. His coverage from the slot, even against the Saints' Marques Colston, generally has been tight.

Hayward hasn't made the same mistake twice, said Whitt. Still, the position coach wasn't about to hazard a guess on how far Hayward might go in his career.

"With more snaps you have opportunities for good and bad to happen," Whitt said. "But I'm encouraged. I think the kid is going to play at a very high level."

Hayward certainly has so far.