NFL Draft 2020: 3 players who helped their stock in Senior Bowl

3. Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina

One player has epitomized the importance of performance in practice over the game more than any other at the 2020 Senior Bowl. He may not have taken to the field on Saturday afternoon, but there was no bigger winner in Mobile than Javon Kinlaw.

He’s has seen his NFL Draft stock grow throughout 2019, generating more and more first round buzz as the season progressed. It’s been quite the leap from playing JUCO football for Jones County Junior College to being voted First Team All-SEC for South Carolina in 2019.

With his performance in Mobile, Kinlaw has put himself right in the conversation with other defensive line players like Derrick Brown and Neville Gallimore, who himself had an outstanding week at the 2020 Senior Bowl.

Kinlaw was dominant in one on one drills in the two days of practice. There was absolutely no stopping him and he embarrassed a number of well respected offensive line talent such as Clemson’s John Simpson. He has flashed power. explosion, and remarkably quick hands in easily dispatching anyone that’s stood in his way.

Early in the week, Kinlaw enhanced his reputation off the field by recalling his time spent growing up homeless. He has seen how tough life can be, and knows what it takes to succeed.

Despite having his week cut short with a knee injury, Kinlaw had already showed enough to win the week, cementing his position as a first round talent and maybe propelling himself in to the top 10 conversation.