MOBILE, Ala. — When it comes to evaluating college football prospects for the NFL Draft, there is nothing better than the game film every player accumulates over his college career. But behind game film, you can very easily make the case that the second-best tool for evaluating players is the Senior Bowl, particularly the week of practices.

Players can quite literally make millions of dollars with their performances during that week, both on and off the field. Not only are the plethora of scouts and executives hungrily watching each rep, but after practice they’re conducting player interviews late into the night. If you’re a senior and you’re invited, unless you’re a projected top-10 pick whose stock can’t really improve (like Josh Allen of Kentucky this year), you’d be foolish not to attend.

The SEC, unsurprisingly, sent the most players to the 2019 Senior Bowl, as there were 24 representatives in attendance. Most enjoyed a strong week of practice, but some obviously helped themselves more than others.

Here are the 5 who helped themselves the most.

5. Lonnie Johnson, CB, Kentucky

Three quarters of the Kentucky secondary were in Mobile for the Senior Bowl, but of the three perhaps none improved his draft stock as much as Lonnie Johnson. He passed the weigh-in with flying colors, checking in at just over 6-2 and weighing 210 pounds, making him the biggest corner on the field, and he also measured a 77-inch wingspan, which was the second-best among corners.

He followed that up with solid play on the field, as well, displaying fluidity in coverage, the ability to click and close and make bone-jarring hits on unsuspecting receivers. He looked physical in press coverage and was strong against the run, two traits, along with his natural length, that make him a very intriguing prospect to NFL teams. He likely went from a Day-3 pick to a Day-2 pick this week.

4. Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State

The scouts I talked to in Mobile were really intrigued to see what Sweat would weigh in at, and everyone was pleased when he checked in at 6-6, 252. Many thought he might come in around the 230-range, but he looked terrific with more than enough mass and bulk to play DE and not be forced to OLB. He also wowed people with his ridiculously long arms, as his wingspan was measured at 84.5-inches, which was 3rd-best among anyone at the Senior Bowl.

Sweat shined during 1-on-1s and displayed his natural pass rushing prowess. It was here where he created one of the biggest highlights of the week when he absolutely destroyed Alabama State OT Tytus Howard (6-5, 322) with a bull-rush that left the much larger Howard firmly on his backside. Throughout the week he showed terrific lower body strength and played with great leverage, and was one of the more consistent linemen from either squad.

3. Daylon Mack, DT, Texas A&M

The Mack Truck, a one-time 5-star prospect who became buried on the A&M depth chart, followed up his breakout senior season with impressive showings at both the Shrine Game and Senior Bowl. A big reason undoubtedly has been the fact that he’s been able to keep his weight under control, and he actually checked in 8-pounds lighter at the Senior Bowl (327) than he was just a week earlier at the Shrine Game (335).

Mack doesn’t possess great length at just 6-1, but he uses his squatty, powerful frame well, displaying impressive strength to anchor against the run. He also surprised many with his quickness, and he moved very well for a man of his size, showing nimbleness and lightness on his feet that caught many offensive linemen off-guard.

2. Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina

There were many wide receivers who impressed this week, but one who really stood out was Samuel. At the weigh-in, not only did he come in at a thick 216 pounds on his 5-11 frame, but he was also just one of two wide receivers in Mobile with hands measuring over 10 inches, with the other being former Tennessee RB Jalen Hurd, who measured in at just under 6-5.

Samuel used those big hands well during the week of practices, making plenty of big catches on all three levels and through traffic. What impressed me most was his ability to consistently get separation with his twitch and explosiveness, just toying with DBs all week. He was also more polished as a route runner than what he displayed on film from earlier in the season, which further leads me to believe that he still wasn’t 100 percent healthy throughout much of the year following the injury he suffered early in 2017. Samuel really helped himself this week.

1. Drew Lock, QB, Mizzou

Everyone always wants to see the quarterbacks when they’re at practice for the Senior Bowl, and I can safely say that no quarterback came close to Lock last week. He was noticeably better than the other quarterbacks in Mobile, in virtually every regard.

First, he passed the media test Monday night during the presser, earning numerous fans with his laid back and jovial manner, then he passed the eye test at the weigh-in, checking in at just under 6-4, 223 pounds. Then came the week of practices, where he really stood out. He displayed far and away the most natural arm talent of any quarterback there, and was arguably the best athlete among his peers under center as well.

The velocity he can generate is downright impressive, and you can literally hear the difference between his passes and those of the other quarterbacks. His footwork is still a work in progress, particularly when taking drops from under center, but he’s noticeably improved in this regard since 2017, and as he continues to improve his lower body mechanics, he’ll actually gain more velocity.

Lock really took advantage of his opportunity this week, and not only entrenched his status as a likely first round draft pick this April, but he could now be in position to be a top-10 pick.