Cincinnati Bengals Training Camp: Week 2 Stock Report

A few days out from the Cincinnati Bengals' first preseason encounter against the New York Giants and with a first depth chart in hand, it's easy to see whose stock is up and whose is down in the Queen City. 

Granted, the depth chart is unofficial, but it says much about where the team and its deep cast of players are at the moment. Sprinkle in other factors such as injuries, practice performances, quotes and more, and the stock market in Cincinnati begins to take a solid shape.

Let's look at the stock market within. Remember, stock fluctuations change on a dime. Anyone who has tracked an NFL draft knows this. But right now, as the team heads into its first exhibition game, the following are the notable movers in both directions.

Stock Up: Tyler Eifert, TE

John Minchillo/Associated Press

All signs point to Tyler Eifert being one of this year's breakout players for the Bengals.

Forget his being listed in the top slot on the depth chart. It was obvious, especially after Jermaine Gresham left via free agency. More important is Eifert's performance this summer after having his supposed breakout year a season ago ruined by injury.

According to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com, "Nobody has been able to cover Eifert since training camp began last week and Dalton throws to him whenever he’s in a jam or needs a big play."

Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson hasn't pulled any punches with his comments on the matter, either, as CBSSports.com's Dave Richard revealed on Twitter: "Excitement for Tyler Eifert here is obvious. Said to Hue Jackson that he never coached a big-time TE. He interrupted: 'But I have one now!'"

It's nothing but good news as Eifert heads into his first season as the lone big-name weapon at the position. Health providing, Eifert should see his stock remain at its current level, if not continue on up.

Stock Down: Marvin Jones, WR

John Minchillo/Associated Press

It's been a while since Marvin Jones' name has come up in the news. He missed the 2014 campaign with an injury, and most figured his spot as the second receiver would remain intact once he got healthy.

Maybe not.

The depth chart lists Mohamed Sanu ahead of Jones right now, a minor surprise on a depth chart with few of those going around.

Head coach Marvin Lewis didn't sound too pleased about Jones' trajectory when he spoke with Cincinnati.com's Jim Owczarski, either: "Marvin's got to get to practice if Marvin wants to get to play. That's part of it. He hasn't played football for us in a year, basically. He had two or three practices or whatever he had last year in the fall. Marvin's got to get prepared to play NFL football."

The staff is right to expect a lot from Jones, who caught 51 passes for 712 yards and 10 scores in 2013. He's an important part of the offense, and his absence was one of the reasons the unit struggled so much last year.

Until Jones gets back on the field and reclaims his spot, he's falling.

Stock Up: Derron Smith, S

Things are convoluted for the Bengals at safety, which isn't a bad thing. Yet sixth-round rookie Derron Smith out of Fresno State continues to turn heads with his knack for being around the football.

Smith wowed the NFL world Monday with a one-handed interception at practice, which shouldn't have come as a major surprise considering he was known for his ability to create turnovers in college.

It doesn't stop in practice, either. In a recent mock game, Smith picked off quarterback AJ McCarron and took it back to the house for a touchdown.

Now, Smith remains behind George Iloka and Shiloh Keo on the depth chart. It's an order behind Iloka capable of changing sooner rather than later. At the least, Smith's penchant for big plays all but secures his roster spot, an impressive feat for a late-round rookie this early in the preseason.

Stock Down: Will Clarke, DE

John Minchillo/Associated Press

When Cincinnati's top right defensive end Michael Johnson went down with a knee injury, many presumed 2014 third-round pick Will Clarke would step into more playing time and help his cause.

Instead, Clarke was one of the biggest losers when the depth chart came out, as he took a seat behind Wallace Gilberry. He's technically a No. 2 option with Johnson out of the picture right now, but it won't last unless he starts to outperform the veteran.

The Bengals love a deep rotation along the line. Carlos Dunlap and Margus Hunt will work from the opposite side. But there's only so deep the rotation can go, so Clarke will need to capitalize on this increase in opportunities if he is to insert himself into a bigger chunk of the rotation during the regular season. 

Clarke's live-game performance in preseason games will reveal just where the former project player is at in his development.

Stock Up: Paul Dawson, LB

John Minchillo/Associated Press

There's a world of expectations on Bengals rookie linebacker Paul Dawson.

Hailed as a great pick by the Bengals at the end of the third round with a compensatory selection, the endless comparisons to former troubled linebacker Vontaze Burfict morphed into something else as he joined the same team and mentor under the guidance of Coach Lewis. 

With Burfict hurt, the Bengals will continue to look in Dawson's direction. He slots behind Burfict and A.J. Hawk on the depth chart.

In a post-practice conference, Lewis praised Dawson's well-advertised instincts, via Bengals.com: “I’ve been pleased. Now that we’ve had to do football and blocks and so forth and it’s not just skating around. That part of the game he’s going to be fine with.”

If Burfict continues to sit on the sidelines, Dawson will show week by week he has what it takes to contribute right away. Whispers about his ability continue to morph into fact, which in time should also start to cement the almost universal praise about the selection on draft day.

Stock Up: AJ McCarron, QB

John Minchillo/Associated Press

What many expected AJ McCarron to do last year continues to unfold this summer with the former Alabama star's injury issues out of the way. 

McCarron's sharp play in practice and a good-looking mock game means he continues to pull ahead of Josh Johnson for the backup quarterback job in the minds of many. This includes on the just-released depth chart.

Hobson cautioned against those who expect him to push for something more, though:

"

McCarron simply isn’t in position to push Dalton this season and that’s no reflection on him, that’s just the way it is. He has yet to throw an NFL pre-season pass and while the Bengals like him and he has looked good this spring, he has to develop. You’re talking about a guy that went in the fifth round in a QB-starved league. I think people have to give him time.

"

There's nothing wrong with McCarron locking down the backup gig this year. It's what the Bengals drafted him to do considering he's a similar player to Dalton who can execute the same offense.

Right now, McCarron's stock continues to soar for all the right reasons. So long as it translates to his first real NFL work this preseason, he'll level out and stand as one of the summer's biggest winners.

Stats courtesy of NFL.com and are accurate as of August 11. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.