27

April

Packers 2012 NFL Draft – Second Round Pick: Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt

Packers Second Round Draft Pick Casey Hayward Vanderbilt

Packers Second Round Draft Pick Casey Hayward Vanderbilt

With another second-round pick (62nd overall) in the 2012 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers selected Casey Hayward, a cornerback from Vanderbilt University

Once again, the Packers traded up in the second round, giving up their 3rd (#90) and 5th round (#163) picksto the New England Patriots for their 62nd pick.

Player Details

CASEY HAYWARD

Cornerback/Free Safety
Vanderbilt University Commodores
#19
5:11.3-192
Perry, Georgia
Perry High School

CAREER NOTES

Hayward appeared in 50 games for the Commodores, starting his last 37 contests, as he recorded 199 tackles (146 solos) with 18.0 stops for losses of 35 yards, a quarterback pressure and a forced fumble…Defended 46 passes, deflecting 31 tosses while coming up with fifteen interceptions for 126 yards in returns (8.40 avg) and one touchdown…Saw brief action on offense as a senior, gaining 60 yards on five carries (12.0 ypc)…Added 11 yards via a kickoff return and 12 yards on a punt return…Hayward’s fifteen interceptions rank second among active players in the NCAA football Bowl Subdivision ranks, topped by only Sean Baker of Ball State (18)…His fifteen interceptions also tied Leonard Coleman (1980-83) for the school career-record and rank tied for 14th in Southeastern Conference annals (most by an SEC performer since Corey Webster of Louisiana State recorded 16 thefts, from 2001-04)…Hayward became the first defensive back to lead the team in tackles-for-loss in a season (8.5 in 2009), which are also the most by a Southeastern Conference in a season…The cornerback had 242 passes targeted by the opposition into his area, as 71 were completed (29.34%) for 498 yards and two touch-downs, an average of 7.01 yards per completion and 2.06 yards per pass attempt

Agility Tests

4.47 in the 40-yard dash (hand-held)…4.53 in the 40-yard dash (electronic)…1.58 10-yard dash…2.57 20-yard dash…3.90 20-yard shuttle…11.10 60-yard shuttle…6.76 three-cone drill…34-inch vertical jump…9’11” broad jump…Bench pressed 225 pounds 19 times… 460-pound squat…30 ¼-inch arm length…9-inch hands…73 ¼-inch wingspan…16 Wonderlic score.

Scouting Report

Hayward has been the unquestioned leader of the Commodores’ defensive unit since joining the starting lineup prior to his sophomore campaign. With his quick feet and hip flexibility, he has done an excellent job of not only mirroring the receivers and disrupting his opponent’s route progression, but has been the “ultimate savior” with his big play ability. His ability to track the ball in flight, along with outstanding leaping ability, has seen him consistently win battles to get to the ball vs. much taller receivers.

Commentary

While selecting Hayward late in the second round may have been a tad high, there are a lot of reasons to love this pick.  For starters, Hayward has the ability to completely shutdown receivers.  He is athletic with great hands and the ability to make plays after the catch.  As a cornerback, he is a solid pick.

However, what makes Hayward even a better pick is the fact that the Packers could decide to try him out as free safety and see if he has what it takes to replace Nick Collins.  Even though Hayward is a little undersized, he hits with great power and his playmaking abilities are very similar to Collins.  It’s likely that we’ll see Hayward on the field early in his career.

VIDEOS:

28 Responses to “Packers 2012 NFL Draft – Second Round Pick: Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt”

  1. Ron LC says:

    The first two days of the draft were a success in my opinion. The additon of Hayward adds a skill set to the Dbackfield. Sounds like he actually knows how to hit. A good thing to have. Other than that I don’t know much about him.

    More competition for the D backs will be a good thing. The rest of the draft can used to find some real sleepers to add to the mix.

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  2. dave dorger says:

    Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.

    Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 11

    • Ed Schoenfeld says:

      No. This pick is intended to replace Nick Collins (or allow Woodson to do so). They are a long way from replacing Bush, especially considering his role on Special teams. At best this pick (and house developing) moves Bush back to #8 on the defensive back depth chart, and they usually keep 9 or 10.

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    • Packers Fan in Atlanta says:

      This actually sounds like a wakeup call to Mr Shields: “Get back to 2010 form or you will be cut”

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      • Oppy says:

        Shields needs a swift kick in the pants.

        You can bet that the Packers will be giving Devon House a very close look this preseason, and he will be given every opportunity to snatch up that nickle position.

        CB is widely noted as an every-year pick, and for good reason: good help at CB is hard to find. I’m excited to see Casey compete, but history has it that the Packers may be content to let him sit and develop before forcing him into service.. Shields was the lone exception, and he certainly played his sophomore season as though he hasn’t matured enough to warrant what amounts to a starting job at nickle.

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        • Pete Kliman says:

          don’t forget Burnett

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          • Ed Schoenfeld says:

            Well, Burnett will be a starting safety, just as he was at the beginning of last year and 2010 (before getting injured) as well. He needs to mature, but you can’t really say Burnett did not meet expectations, Collins did not do all that much in his first two seasons either, other than learning the job.

            The best result for Green Bay, IMO, is that Shields, House and this kid all develop. A real offseason will help Shields and House immensely. With those two, this kid, and Tramon at corner, the Packers should be more than comfortable moving Woodson to safety — the only question there is what Charles wants, and he should be much happier making the move at 36, when it is a legitimate career extender for him, than he was in Oakland where the position switch was really a move in Crazy Al’s contract negotiation plans.

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          • Oppy says:

            Burnett is a Safety, not a Corner

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  3. Elo says:

    Like the pick.

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  4. BubbaOne says:

    It’s one person’s opinion but the Huddle Report has a 6th round grade on Hayward. Hope Drew is wrong.

    In hindsight, TT could have taken Hayward at 59, rec’d DL help (Brandon Thompson, Josh Chapman, Malik Jackson et al) at 90 and still have picks 123 and 163…just saying.

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  5. Mojo says:

    An OLB, DLineman & secondary guy. Couldn’t have gone better IMO at least in regard to positions I thought they should go after. Now Ted can take the BPA and if one is a center – great. Go Whitey.

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  6. Oppy says:

    Anyone have links to some better quality tape of Casey Hayward?

    While the one posted with this article certainly has a LOT of plays, Hayward seems more like he’s only incidental to the action- the camera follows the QB and the ball more so than it keeps Hayward in frame.

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    • Jersey Al Jersey Al says:

      Oppy – I changed the video. This one will give you a better look…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0

      • Oppy says:

        Thanks, Al, this is just what the doctor ordered!

        Got to say, I love the fact that this kid is NOT shy of contact- there’s two or three snaps where he straight up takes on a OG or OT with no fear whatsoever.

        That being said, it also looks like for a kid who touts himself as being a good tackler, he needs a lot of work in that department. He’s clearly got the disposition to tackle, but he almost always chooses to throw his body at a ball carrier’s lower legs and hope for the trip-up than attempt to form tackle, and when he does go for a tackle, it’s all arms, no shoulder and wrap up.

        But, hey, he’s got the will, we can teach the rest.

        His ability to make up for his less than blazing speed and break up a pass is very nice.

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  7. Mojo says:

    And oh BTW, to those who scoffed at me when I said Russell Wilson wouldn’t last past the fourth – suck on it!

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  8. jamarsouth says:

    I know this isn’t the situation in all cases, but I like picks where I guy has shown outstanding performance on the collegiate field. Combines are a nice barometer, but I think the best barometers are the ones that take into consideration what the guy has done in actual games. He had 15 career INT’s in college! This sounds like a game-time performer to me! That’s what I want on my team … not a practice player, but a PROVEN GAME PLAYER! :-)

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  9. packett says:

    I don’t comment on picks…just lay down the advice.
    Today, Ted, its now quite simple:
    1) Pick one running back with 4th round
    2) no more trade down, cuz you don’t need quantity.
    3) pick 2 more corners, two more DLs and 2 more LBs.
    See, ya don’t even have to say it in words;
    ‘defense, every one of you are going to be challenged, cuz last year just wasn’t’

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    • Jersey Al Jersey Al says:

      a center will be drafted and maybe a QB.

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      • Pat Mc says:

        The 4th Round has 2 picks. One OL (either a center that might be needed during the year, or BAP Tackle for right side).

        If Bulaga needs to move to LT then lang can move to RT or someone needs to step up

        Agree with RB in 4th. Good Value expected.

        There are a couple of sleeper safety’s that might be FA’s but 1 of the 7′s might be targeted for safety.

        With House and Brandigan coming up the CB need is just 1.

        Agree with a DL for development & take a few snaps for Raji. There are a couple of wide body guys that TT needs to consider in the 4th as well.

        4th RB
        4th C
        6th NT
        7th Safety
        7th CB
        7th WR

        I say WR because if needed, TT might have to trade James for a position by camp.

        FA’s – the RT from Wisconsin will be a FA and should be signed 5 minutes after the draft. Give him an opportunity to compete and at least be on practice squad.

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        • Ed Schoenfeld says:

          I think they need to draft 2 OL. I am not impressed with the depth chart below Dietrich-Smith.

          Trader Ted can move up one more time for the best player, 6th and a 7th for a better 6th.

          Will be fun to watch now that the ‘what kind of immediate help can we get?’ has been answered.

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  10. Ruppert says:

    It seems to me there is rather a lot of negative sentiment around the blogosphere regarding our draft so far.

    If you would have told me before the draft that we draft OLB, DE, and DB with our first 3 picks, including drafting up in the 2nd two times, I would have thought Pack fans would be happy about that.

    I don’t follow the rating of draft prospects very much. Ignorance seems to be bliss, in my case.

    I’m happy we drafted defense, and I’m excited to see that we traded up to target two specific players in a high round of a draft. That’s about as far as it goes for me right now. I’ll just wait to watch these guys with pads on.

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    • Ed Schoenfeld says:

      There’s always a lot of nervousness about picks. This year, specifically, I think a lot of people thought of Perry as a better fit in a 4-3 defense as opposed to the Packers’ 3-4 (Its almost as if the Bears should have picked Perry and the Packers picked McClellin, but McClellin would never have made it down to 28.)

      Worthy fell out of the first round due to idiotic behavior at the Combine interviews. He seems to have learned his lesson about interviews and may be a steal at 51, but I can see where people could still remember the Combine issues and not think about getting 1st round game talent in the middle of the second.

      Hayward was not on any of the conventional sites radar because he plays for the worst team in his conference. But he played man defense (unlike a lot of the picks the pundits seem to prefer) and should be be to play for Green Bay from Day one. The only question will be if Shields and House can stay ahead of him on the depth chart.

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      • Ed Schoenfeld says:

        I should add that I agree: These kids will be exciting to watch in training camp and preseason.

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  11. Brad says:

    I think it’s been a fantastic draft thus far. Would like to see if we can get QB Cousins and OLB Ronnell Lewis in the 4th round. Stil going to need some o-line help and probably a RB in this draft.

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  12. PackersRS says:

    From what I read he’s a tremenduous ballhawk. He joins the best unit in the league in that aspect.

    More pass rushers to increase the pressure on the QB, more playmakers on the secondary to take advantage of that pressure. I may disagree with some of the picks, at least in theory, but I love the reasoning.

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  13. Brad says:

    I think it’s been a fantastic draft thus far. Would like to see if we can get QB Cousins and OLB Ronnell Lewis in the 4th round. Stil going to need some o-line help and probably a RB in this draft. I don’t think we need to waste a pick on wr when there are 2 on the practice squad capable of making this team.

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