Ernie Sims was drafted No. 9 overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2006 NFL Draft out of Florida State. 109 regular-season games · 4 seasons as a starter · 29 career approximate value
2006 NFL Draft · Rd 1, Pick 9 · #9 overall
Ernie Sims Florida State Draft
Ernie Sims was drafted No. 9 overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2006 NFL Draft out of Florida State. 109 regular-season games · 4 seasons as a starter · 29 career approximate value
- Overall pick
- #9
- Round
- 1
- Draft class
- 2006
- NFL games
- 109
- Years as starter
- 4
- Career AV
- 2959th at Florida State
The pick
How Ernie Sims came off the board in 2006.
- Position
- Linebacker LB
- College
-
Florida State
ACC at the draft
- Measurables
- 5'11" · 231 lbs
- Pre-draft board
- No. 14 prospect96.0 grade
- Side of the ball
- Defense
NFL career
109 regular-season games · 4 seasons as a starter · 29 career approximate value
- Games played
- 109
- Seasons as a starter
- 4
- Career approximate value
- 2959th among Florida State picks
- AV with the drafting club
- 1862% of career value
- Final season
- 20137 years after the draft
Around pick 9
Who came off the board on either side of Ernie Sims.
Texas
Ohio State · 2× Pro Bowl
USC
Vanderbilt · 1× Pro Bowl
Florida State in the 2006 draft
Teammates who went in the same class.
Kamerion Wimbley
DE · CLE
Florida State
#14
Brodrick Bunkley
DT · PHI
Florida State
#19
Antonio Cromartie
DB · LAC
Florida State · 1× All-Pro · 4× Pro Bowl
#95
Willie Reid
WR · PIT
Florida State
#117
Leon Washington
RB · NYJ
Florida State · 1× All-Pro · 2× Pro Bowl
#138
Pat Watkins
DB · DAL
Florida State
#157
A.J. Nicholson
LB · CIN
Florida State
Other LB picks from Florida State
The program's most accomplished players at the same spot.
Florida State · Hall of Fame · 5× All-Pro · 11× Pro Bowl
#4
Peter Boulware
LB · BAL · 1997
Florida State · 4× Pro Bowl
#15
Lawrence Timmons
LB · PIT · 2007
Florida State · 1× Pro Bowl
#39
Sam Cowart
LB · BUF · 1998
Florida State · 1× Pro Bowl
#144
Telvin Smith
LB · JAX · 2014
Florida State · 1× Pro Bowl
#26
Jermaine Johnson II
LB · NYJ · 2022
Florida State · 1× Pro Bowl
About this draft profile
Last updated Aug 24, 2026
Ernie Sims in the 2006 NFL Draft
Ernie Sims is a Linebacker out of Florida State selected No. 9 overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2006 NFL Draft. 109 regular-season games · 4 seasons as a starter · 29 career approximate value Florida State has produced 227 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.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Ernie Sims drafted?
Ernie Sims was selected No. 9 overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2006 NFL Draft (Rd 1, Pick 9). Full pick detail at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/2006/ernie-sims.
What college did Ernie Sims play for?
Ernie Sims played college football at Florida State in the ACC. See every Florida State draft pick at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/schools/florida-state-seminoles.
How did Ernie Sims's NFL career turn out?
109 regular-season games · 4 seasons as a starter · 29 career approximate value Career outcome data at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/2006/ernie-sims.