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Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen is a consensus top-five pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and with the Jacksonville Jaguars needing help in that area and picking No. 4 overall, it seems like an easy decision to match the two up in the first round.
But Alabama’s team doctor Dr. Lyle Cain thinks some teams will be a little less willing to spend big draft capital on a player who is dealing with moderate arthritis in his shoulders.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Cain refuted that Allen’s shoulder injuries should be anything of a concern.
“Jonathan has really played without symptoms in his shoulders, and it's something that has not affected his performance or function. It doesn't have to be treated during the season. And he's had a couple of great years ... But he's played without any problems. This is something that a lot of offensive linemen and defensive linemen have, things guys play with their whole careers. It's just a little earlier for him because he got hurt in college."
ProFootballWeekly.com’s Greg Gabe has a slightly less optimistic view of Allen’s shoulders.
News that Jonathan Allen has moderate arthritis in both shoulders is huge. Fact is arthritic conditions never improve, they only get worse
— Greg Gabriel (@greggabe) March 2, 2017
What do you think? Is it serious enough as to where you’d steer away from Allen if you were the Jaguars? Or is his potential worth the seemingly minimal risk?