2013 Cleveland Browns NFL Draft Prospect: LB Jarvis Jones

A risk can be defined as a situation involving exposure to danger.

Outside linebacker Jarvis Jones is the No. 1-rated player on Mel Kiper’s big board, he led the college football world in sacks and could easily wind up being the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft.

So what’s the risk?

Insert bad news here: spinal stenosis.

Jones suffered a neck sprain back in 2009 that forced him to sit out five games and, ultimately, transfer to Georgia. The All-American has said in recent interviews that he is fine and that it was just a stinger, but with all the money that goes into a top 10 pick, it’s worth a closer look.

An option the Browns may have is to trade down to the 10-15 pick range to see if they could get a good value for the money they would need to sign him. To get Jones in the middle of the first round would be a lot less risky.

If the injury is behind the  6-3, 241-pound linebacker, getting him at any spot would be a huge lift to the Browns’ defense and add a top-tier pass rusher off the edge. The new 3-4 defensive front Ray Horton will bring to Cleveland is ideal for the player who had 13.5 and 14.5 sacks, respectively, in his last two seasons.

Jones has the speed to be a real threat to opposing offenses, as he runs a 4.84, but that time should improve at his pro day. He has all the makings of a Von Miller-type player and if the injuries can be seen as something of the past, Jones would be a monster steal.