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Eagles roster: Stock up, stock down after Week 1 of training camp

Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins has been one of the most impressive players this summer.

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Eagles have finished seven 2014 training camp practices and there are only about nine more remaining that are open to the media (including three in New England). With that in mind, let's take a look at at best and worst training camp performances so far.

Stock Up

Malcolm Jenkins, Safety

Through a week of Eagles training camp practices, it's been really easy to see why the team made Malcolm Jenkins their priority free agent signing back in March. Jenkins has had an outstanding camp. He's very active in coverage; he's recorded at least 3 interceptions as well as multiple pass deflections. The versatility he brings to Philadelphia's defense is apparent. The team isn't afraid to line him up against any running back, tight end, or wide receiver.

Nolan Carroll, Cornerback:

There was virtually no hype surrounding Philadelphia's signing of Carroll back in March, but looking back, maybe there should have been. He's easily been one of the top performers in training camp. Carroll has recorded only one (or two?) interceptions but he's dropped quite a few more. One thing to consider with Carroll is that he's facing the second team offense. Perhaps Carroll's strong performance should be expected since he's a 27-year-old NFL veteran who has started 22 games in the last two seasons. In any case, Carroll should seriously challenge for a starting role.

Jordan Matthews, Wide receiver:

Jordan Matthews dominates in practice. It feels like he catches nearly everything thrown his way and he runs very, very hard after the catch. The offseason hype surrounding him has been well-deserved, now it's just a matter of seeing if he can perform in the games.

Darren Sproles, Running back

Darren Sproles turned 31 this summer but you wouldn't know it based on how dangerous he looks in practice. He's a really tough cover on short patterns and wheel routes. I've also been impressed with Sproles when I've seem him running the ball. There have been a few toss plays in the redzone where he's easily beaten everyone to the corner for a touchdown.

Mark Sanchez, Quarterback:

Mark Sanchez REALLY struggled during the team's spring practices, but he started to look a little less worse by the end of mandatory minicamp. Sanchez has been solid in camp to this point. He's cut down on the interceptions and miscommunications for the most part. It'll be interesting to gauge Sanchez's progress in the preseason games.

Matt Barkley, Quarterback:

It'll be interesting to gauge Barkley's progress in the preseason games as well. Like Sanchez, Barkley seemed to struggle in the spring but he's picked it up since. He's been up and down at times but I can tell he's progressed from where he was in 2013. Last year I thought he was nothing but a lost rookie. This year he has some moments where he actually makes some quality plays. Still far from a finished product, but it looked like he could lose his job in the spring and I don't see that happening now.

Quron Pratt, WR

The undrafted rookie free agent wide receiver has made a few nice catches in both the spring and summer. He's probably best suited for a practice squad spot. Pratt might this year's Russell Shepard in that another team steals him off of waivers after final cuts.

Stock Down

Arrelious Benn, Wide receiver:

The good news is that Benn looks healthy. The bad news is that he hasn't been making the most out of his opportunity. I've seen him drop a few passes and when the refs attended practice he was flagged for offensive pass interference at least once. Benn just hasn't really stood out in any way. There's still time for that to change.

Matthew Tucker, Running back

Tucker has had time to impress with Chris Polk sitting out with a hamstring injury but he just hasn't stood out in a positive way. The only time I've noticed him is when he's dropped passes, and I've seen at least four of those.

Damaris Johnson, Wide receiver:

Damaris Johnson looked like a star in training camp last season but he just hasn't been able to find that magic this time around. He's had his moments, but for the most part it hasn't been an encouraging camp due to drops and fumbles.

Nate Allen, Safety:

Not a bad camp performance by any means but I haven't really noticed Allen too much. Except for when he dropped a gift interception from Barkley last week. Allen hasn't put a stranglehold on the safety battle despite his advantage of being a veteran. Second year safety Earl Wolff is taking first team reps.

G.J. Kinne, Quarterback:

G.J. Kinne will always be loved at BGN but it looked like he had a chance to earn a roster spot based on both Barkley's struggles and Kinne's own success in the spring, but that hasn't been the case in the summer. Kinne will likely make the practice squad for the second straight year so no need to worry too much.

• Players missing time

There are a number of players with minor injuries that have been missing practice: Riley Cooper (foot), Jeff Maehl (ankle), Chris Polk (hamstring), Jake Knott (hamstring), etc. Keelan Johnson missed some practices due to an arrest just a few days before training camp but is back now. Still, this missed time isn't doing anything to benefit these players.

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Reminder: There is still a lot of time left in the summer. Preseason games haven't started yet. There's still time for things to change for the better or worse.

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