Gunter wants to make most of opportunity with Packers

LaDarius Gunter doesn't have to wonder about why he went undrafted earlier this month.

For the former Miami defensive back, it came down to the stopwatch. Gunter ran a 4.69-second, 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine in February. Not good for a player many teams projected to play cornerback, including the Green Bay Packers.

"I didn't test well," Gunter said.

So Gunter watched the three-day, seven-round draft pass without ever getting an opportunity. He said there were about a dozen teams interested in signing him as a free agent. He looked at the Packers' history of developing undrafted cornerbacks – Sam Shields and Tramon Williams serving as prime examples – and decided to sign with Green Bay.

"This team," Gunter said, "is all about the best man plays. So I feel like (if) I compete and show the coaches that I'm one of the best guys, I'll be in the rotation."

Gunter said he never considered avoiding the Packers after the team spent their first two draft picks on defensive backs who can cover receivers. He won't shy from competition, he said.

Despite his 40-yard dash, Gunter said a lack of speed doesn't limit him on the field.

"With more faster guys, I can get my hands on them and slow them down," Gunter said. "With the bigger guys, I can use my body and jump to play with those guys as well. It plays a role in both situation."

-rwood@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @ByRyanWood