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2006 NFL Draft · Rd 3, Pick 33 · #97 overall

Eric Smith Michigan State Draft

Eric Smith was drafted No. 97 overall by the New York Jets in the 2006 NFL Draft out of Michigan State. 96 regular-season games · 1 seasons as a starter · 18 career approximate value

Overall pick
#97
Round
3
Draft class
2006
NFL games
96
Years as starter
1
Career AV
1838th at Michigan State

The pick

How Eric Smith came off the board in 2006.

Drafted by

New York Jets

Rd 3, Pick 33 · #97 overall · AFC East

Full 2006 draft class (255 picks)
Position
Defensive back DB
College
Michigan State Big Ten at the draft
Measurables
6'1" · 209 lbs
Pre-draft board
34.0 grade
Side of the ball
Defense

NFL career

96 regular-season games · 1 seasons as a starter · 18 career approximate value

Games played
96
Seasons as a starter
1
Career approximate value
1838th among Michigan State picks
AV with the drafting club
18100% of career value
Final season
20126 years after the draft

Around pick 97

Who came off the board on either side of Eric Smith.

#95 Willie Reid WR · PIT Florida State #96 Gerris Wilkinson LB · NYG Georgia Tech #98 Owen Daniels TE · HOU Wisconsin · 2× Pro Bowl #99 Max Jean-Gilles G · PHI Georgia

Michigan State in the 2006 draft

Teammates who went in the same class.

#123 Domata Peko DT · CIN Michigan State #214 Chris Morris C · LV Michigan State

Other DB picks from Michigan State

The program's most accomplished players at the same spot.

#202 Renaldo Hill DB · ARI · 2001 Michigan State #325 Lonnie Young DB · ARI · 1985 Michigan State #101 Harlon Barnett DB · CLE · 1990 Michigan State #140 Myron Bell DB · PIT · 1994 Michigan State #24 Darqueze Dennard DB · CIN · 2014 Michigan State #57 Jim Burroughs DB · IND · 1982 Michigan State

Other players named Eric Smith

Different people who share this name in the draft archive.

#326 Eric Smith LB · NYG · 1989 UCLA

About this draft profile

Last updated Aug 24, 2026

Eric Smith in the 2006 NFL Draft

Eric Smith is a Defensive back out of Michigan State selected No. 97 overall by the New York Jets in the 2006 NFL Draft. 96 regular-season games · 1 seasons as a starter · 18 career approximate value Michigan State has produced 147 NFL draft picks since 1980.

Where this data comes from

Pick order and career outcomes come from the nflverse draft archive; position, measurables, and conference at the time of the draft come from the college feed. Career columns stay empty until a player logs regular-season snaps.

Keep exploring

Frequently asked questions

Where was Eric Smith drafted?

Eric Smith was selected No. 97 overall by the New York Jets in the 2006 NFL Draft (Rd 3, Pick 33). Full pick detail at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/2006/eric-smith.

What college did Eric Smith play for?

Eric Smith played college football at Michigan State in the Big Ten. See every Michigan State draft pick at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/schools/michigan-state-spartans.

How did Eric Smith's NFL career turn out?

96 regular-season games · 1 seasons as a starter · 18 career approximate value Career outcome data at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/2006/eric-smith.