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College Football

1989 NFL Draft · Rd 2 · #30 overall

John Ford Virginia Draft

John Ford was drafted No. 30 overall by the Detroit Lions in the 1989 NFL Draft out of Virginia. 7 regular-season games · 1 career approximate value

Overall pick
#30
Round
2
Draft class
1989
NFL games
7
Career AV
173rd at Virginia

The pick

How John Ford came off the board in 1989.

Drafted by

Detroit Lions

Rd 2 · #30 overall · NFC North

Full 1989 draft class (335 picks)
Position
Wide receiver WR
College
Virginia ACC at the draft
Side of the ball
Offense

NFL career

7 regular-season games · 1 career approximate value

Games played
7
Career approximate value
173rd among Virginia picks
AV with the drafting club
1100% of career value
Final season
19890 years after the draft

Around pick 30

Who came off the board on either side of John Ford.

#28 Keith DeLong LB · SF Tennessee #29 Steve Wisniewski G · DAL Penn State · 2× All-Pro · 8× Pro Bowl #31 Lawyer Tillman WR · CLE Auburn #32 Mike Elkins QB · KC Wake Forest

Virginia in the 1989 draft

Teammates who went in the same class.

#14 Jeff Lageman DE · NYJ Virginia #186 David Griggs LB · NO Virginia

Other WR picks from Virginia

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

#10 Herman Moore WR · DET · 1991 Virginia · 3× All-Pro · 4× Pro Bowl #50 Germane Crowell WR · DET · 1998 Virginia #159 Patrick Jeffers WR · DEN · 1996 Virginia #159 Dontayvion Wicks WR · GB · 2023 Virginia #184 Malik Washington WR · MIA · 2024 Virginia #95 Billy McMullen WR · PHI · 2003 Virginia

About this draft profile

Last updated Aug 24, 2026

John Ford in the 1989 NFL Draft

John Ford is a Wide receiver out of Virginia selected No. 30 overall by the Detroit Lions in the 1989 NFL Draft. 7 regular-season games · 1 career approximate value Virginia has produced 104 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.

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Frequently asked questions

Where was John Ford drafted?

John Ford was selected No. 30 overall by the Detroit Lions in the 1989 NFL Draft (Rd 2). Full pick detail at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1989/john-ford.

What college did John Ford play for?

John Ford played college football at Virginia in the ACC. See every Virginia draft pick at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/schools/virginia-cavaliers.

How did John Ford's NFL career turn out?

7 regular-season games · 1 career approximate value Career outcome data at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1989/john-ford.