Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald compares Chad Williams to Anquan Boldin

May 31 (UPI) -- Getting compliments from a decorated 13-year veteran like Larry Fitzgerald may make the NFL transition easier for Arizona Cardinals rookie Chad Williams.

Fitzgerald told reporters Tuesday that the Cardinals' third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft reminds him of former teammate Anquan Boldin.

Boldin and Fitzgerald were teammates from 2004 through 2009. They each had 1,400 yards and more than seven touchdowns in their second season together. Boldin is a three-time Pro Bowl selection, while Fitzgerald is a 10-time Pro Bowl pick and has one All-Pro nod.

"He's reminds me of Anquan Boldin in terms of the strength of his hands," Fitzgerald told reporters when asked about Williams. "Once it touches his hands it just doesn't move. He's got unbelievably strong hands."

Boldin is 6-feet, 1-inches and 218 pounds. Williams is listed at 6-feet, 2-inches. The 204-pound target had 1,337 yards and 11 scores on 90 receptions last season at Grambling State. He also had 1,012 yards and 10 scores during his junior campaign for the Tigers.

According to his NFL.com draft profile, Williams plays bigger than his size. He is hard to tackle and physical after the catch. He was projected at a fifth- or sixth-round draft selection.

John Brown and J.J. Nelson are both shorter than 6-feet and lighter than 180 pounds. Williams should bring a physical complementary weapon to the Cardinals' passing game. Williams also has some speed, running a 4.37 40-yard dash at his Pro Day.

Earlier this month, Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin hinted that Williams could supplant Fitzgerald following the veteran's retirement.

"Knowing that Larry is going to one day walk away from the game, you talk about somebody that can carry the torch," Goodwin said on the Cardinals' Big Red Rage podcast. "This is the guy that everybody thinks can do that."

Williams will compete for snaps this season behind Fitzgerald, with Nelson, Brown, Jaron Brown and several others in the Cardinals' speedy pass catcher carousel.

"He's shown up a lot already," Cardinals coach Bruce Arians told reporters Monday, according to ESPN. "It's a tough room to crack but he's off [to] a good start."