By Marques Eversoll

Cornerback is the only position group on defense that the Packers didn’t add to this offseason via the draft or free agency, and it’s easy to see why.

Sam Shields enjoyed a big payday, signing a four-year, $39 million deal this offseason. He covers one side of the field, while Tramon Williams, who may have ended 2013 as the team’s top cover man, holds down the fort on the other side. Having Shields and Williams, No. 37 and No. 38, on the outside will be a familiar sight for Packers fans. And if those same fans think back to 2012, they’ll recognize the turnover-creating machine who could have been the Defensive Rookie of the Year that season, Casey Hayward, roaming in the slot.

Hayward’s instincts are undeniable. He knows where he’s supposed to be from a schematic standpoint, and he’s certainly been in possible to come up with more than the one interception he’s generated thus far in camp.

In the nickel defense, when the Packers put three cornerbacks on the field, it’s been Shields and Williams on the perimeter with Hayward in the slot. But when they’ve went dime, the secondary has shuffled.

With four cornerbacks and two safeties, Hayward has often been off the field in favor of Davon House and the No. 3 safety, as Micah Hyde has bumped up to the slot. It makes sense in that putting four cornerbacks on the field leaves a defense susceptible to an unexpected run, so bigger defensive backs carry a bit more value.

With Hyde and Williams in the slot, Shields and House have handled the outside receivers, while first-round safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix pairs with Morgan Burnett—who missed Wednesday’s practice with an oblique injury—or Sean Richardson.

It’s crystal clear that the Packers have big plans for Hyde. He’s the team’s most versatile defensive back and clearly has the ball skills and range to play either cornerback or safety.

Hyde made one of the most impressive plays at practice on Wednesday. Fourth-string quarterback Chase Rettig fired a ball to tight end Ryan Taylor in the end zone, and Hyde reacted with a one-handed interception.

By lining Hyde up all over the formation, it’s obvious that the Packers value his versatility and plan to feature him in his second NFL season. Financially, the Packers gave Shields a vote of confidence, as his $9,750,000-per-year average salary ranks sixth in the NFL, tied with Bengals cornerback Leon Hall and Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph. Tramon Williams is the 12^th-highest paid cornerback in football.

They have a lot invested in the secondary and it’s probably the deepest position on the roster. Shields and Williams will rarely come off the field, Hayward will play a lot, but with so many other options, defensive coordinator Dom Capers will have to get creative to get the most out of the group.