Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jarvis Jones (29) battles Mississippi Rebels offensive linesman Pierce Burton (71) during the third quarter at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Mississippi 37-10. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

By the time the 2013 NFL Draft rolls around, Georgia outside linebacker Jarvis Jones could find himself as a top five pick. It isn’t an uncommon place for him in recent mock drafts, but one of the questions Jones is facing has nothing to do with his production on the field or his transition to the NFL game. It’s his health.

Jones started his career at USC but transferred to Georgia after USC team doctors would not clear him to play as a result of spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal column. He finished his collegiate career without incident but that is a lot different than asking an NFL team to make a heavy financial investment.

Each combine participant goes through a set of medical evaluations and so far the news sounds good:

LB Jarvis Jones said most of doctors he met w today re: spinal stenosis were not concerned about the injury.

— Kevin Seifert (@espn_nfcnblog) February 23, 2013

If you’re like me you are drawn to the part that says “most” doctors. That suggests the opinion is not unanimous and while it may not rule him out as a top draft pick, it also may not eliminate his status as a potentially risky pick.

Since Jones has been mentioned as a potential Lions pick, this is largely good news for fans of the Honolulu blue and silver. However, I still find an issue with the fit on the field. Jones is widely seen as a 4-3 outside linebacker rather than a rush end and while that might sound like a fit, the Lions haven’t shown a desire to use their outside linebackers to rush the passer, the area where Jones excels.

It is possible the Lions would adapt their defensive philosophy if they were to add Jones but the way the coaching staff handled Julian Peterson suggests they have no interest in doing that and therefore might view Jones as a nice prospect, but a better fit for someone else.

Nov 3, 2012; Athens, GA, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Jeff Scott (3) is tackled by Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jarvis Jones (29) in the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia won 37-10. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

This week’s update to the FanSided.com mock draft has a new name linked to the Detroit Lions’ pick. After several weeks of the pick being Dee Milliner or Manti Te’o, Josh Sanchez’s update has the Lions going with Georgia outside linebacker Jarvis Jones. Sanchez explains:

The Lions would benefit from moving back a few spots to select the top corner in this year’s class, Dee Milliner, but they would also benefit by adding a dynamic linebacker like Jones who has been compared to current Broncos star linebacker Von Miller.

It’s an interesting pick for the Lions. Jones has excelled primarily as a pass rusher in Georgia’s 3-4 defensive scheme but he does have experience as a 4-3 outside linebacker earlier in his career when he was at USC.

Going in the top five isn’t out of the question for Jones – that is where many big boards rank him – but it would seem high for a team that would use him as a traditional 4-3 outside linebacker. Especially for a team like the Lions who rely on their front four to generate pressure rather than bringing a heavy does of blitzes.

There are some health concerns surrounding Jarvis. He suffered a neck injury at USC and transferred to Georgia after the USC medical staff refused to clear him to return to football. He has been healthy as a Bulldog but may be too great a risk for the Lions to take so high in what will be a very important draft for the team.