Viewed as one of the top running backs in the draft, Ryan Williams ended up being the second one selected, only 10 picks after 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram.
Williams is the newest member of the Arizona Cardinals.
The move comes only two years after the Cardinals used a first-round selection on Beanie Wells.
As a rookie, Wells rushed for 793 yards. Last year, appearing in 13 games with two starts, Wells rushed only 397 yards, averaging 3.4 yards per carry.
Williams set the single-season Virginia Tech rushing record in 2009, with 1,655 yards. Last year, a hamstring injury and a running-back rotation kept Williams under 500 yards.