Actions

Cardinals take wide receiver Chad Williams with 3rd-round NFL Draft pick

Posted at 8:25 PM, Apr 28, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-28 23:34:57-04

The Cardinals hope Chad Williams will join David Johnson, Tyrann Mathieu and John Brown on the list of third-round gems.

The Cardinals selected Williams, a wide receiver from Grambling State, in the third round (98th overall pick) of the 2017 NFL Draft on Friday night. The Cardinals acquired the 98th pick by trading down with the Panthers, sending their third-round pick to Carolina in exchange for the Panthers' third-round and fourth-round pick.

SEE ALSO: Cardinals trade with Bears to grab Budda Baker in second round

Williams is called a "developmental prospect" by NFL.com who has good hands and "plays bigger than his size." Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said Williams has a chance to gain a role with the team right away.

Williams had problems with the law before his senior season at Grambling, as he was arrested and charged with marijuana and firearm possession on LSU campus.

Williams had 90 catches for 1,337 yards and 11 touchdowns in his senior season at Grambling. He notched 13 catches for 152 yards in a game against the Arizona Wildcats in Tucson last season -- a performance that Cardinals general manager Steve Keim said was an eye-opener.