Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp: Week 2 Stock Report

Another week of training camp is almost in the books for the Philadelphia Eagles, who are barreling toward their first preseason game of the summer this Sunday. Who has been impressing the most as we inch closer to real football?

In this latest stock report, we are once again going entirely "stock up." The fact of the matter is there haven't been many players who have lost ground in competitions based on their play in practice. In fact, almost everybody appears to be working hard and seemingly improving on a daily basis, and believe me, I'm not just saying that.

Of course, exhibition games is where these guys will have opportunities to separate themselves. As always, there's only so much we can take from Eagles camp. Quarterbacks aren't exposed to hits. Offensive and defensive linemen are barely going at it. There's almost zero tackling. That makes it difficult to evaluate much beyond receiver versus defensive back.

That being said, five new players have managed to stand out in the past week. If you happened to attend either of the club's two open practices, who do you feel had strong practices that we maybe missed?

Stock Up: Jordan Matthews

Chris Szagola/Associated Press

Jordan Matthews is doing an outstanding job this summer of erasing any concern over who will replace Jeremy Maclin's production. The second-year wideout is making one spectacular catch after another at training camp—he just did it again at Tuesday's practice, making a diving grab on a perfectly placed Sam Bradford pass for a touchdown in the corner of the end zone.

To Matthews, this is no big deal, as he told Reuben Frank for CSNPhilly.com.

“The way I look at it, that’s what I have to do,” Matthews said. “People may say, ‘That’s a tough grab, this and that,’ but God made me 6'3" for a reason. I’ve got to go up and get the ball. That’s got to be my job. If I’m going to stay in the league, I’ve got to be able to do that."

There really shouldn't be a whole lot of doubt remaining about Matthews' talent level. Last season, he became only the 13th rookie in NFL history to record at least 65 receptions, 800 yards and eight touchdowns. The fact that Matthews is catching anything and everything is a great sign for his second act.

Stock Up: Ryan Mathews

Chris Szagola/Associated Press

While all the hype in the Eagles' backfield has been over reigning NFL rushing champion DeMarco Murray, the runner who has shined the most so far this summer is Ryan Mathews. To be fair, Murray has missed a bunch of practices with minor issues, but regardless, it's Mathews who's really stood out.

It shouldn't come as a complete surprise, either. Mathews has been to the Pro Bowl. He was a two-time 1,000-yard rusher in five seasons with the San Diego Chargers. He was the 12th overall pick in the 2010 draft.

Clearly, the talent is there, and it's been on display at camp. Mathews hits the hole with the suddenness, conviction and burst that you want to see. He's also been a weapon in the passing attack and is even auditioning as a kick returner.

Mathews' issue has never been ability but durability, as he has played 16 games just once in his NFL career. Sharing the ball-carrying duties with Murray should help both players stay healthy.

Just don't assume Murray is the workhorse. The way Mathews looks, the Eagles may have more of a 1A-1B situation in the backfield.

Stock Up: Trey Burton

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Trey Burton is not a threat to unseat Brent Celek or Zach Ertz for playing time. He's clearly the Eagles' third tight end. But as third tight ends go, Burton is demonstrating the potential to be a secret weapon.

The second-year player has been showing up increasingly in the passing attack. At Sunday's practice at Lincoln Financial Field, he was everywhere. Burton was hauling in deep balls, getting open and scoring touchdowns in red-zone drills, even setting key blocks on wide receiver screens. It was generally one of the better practices anybody has had all camp.

It's not as if the Eagles never use three tight ends, either. If Burton's development continues, there's no doubt there will be packages where he, Celek and Ertz are all on the field together. Burton is also versatile enough to line up at receiver and running back or even attempt a pass.

We already knew the Eagles probably got a steal out of the undrafted free agent last season when Burton became a special teams standout during his rookie season. Now, we're beginning to discover they may have a tremendous all-around threat stashed away deep on the depth chart.

Stock Up: Walter Thurmond

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

You always wonder how any player is going to deal with a position change, especially making a leap from a cover cornerback to the more cerebral safety position. So far, Walter Thurmond couldn't be handling the transition any better.

If there's a play to be made on a ball in the air, Thurmond simply seems to be there. He's pulled down interceptions or broken up passes just about every day in camp. On Sunday's practice, Thurmond twice was in perfect position to pick off a pass that deflected off a receiver's fingertips; he also added a forced fumble to his line.

Head coach Chip Kelly has certainly taken notice of all the big plays.

"I think he leads the defensive backs right now in turnovers caused, whether it be interceptions or fumbles," Kelly observed. "He just kind of has a knack of being around the ball. I think he's a real savvy player back there and has fit in really well. It has been kind of seamless for him in that transition from corner to safety. He just always seems to be around the ball making plays."

Of course, safety is a position that can be difficult to evaluate before any actual games are played, so this preseason will be another big test for Thurmond. Based on what we've seen at camp, though, he'll pass that with flying colors too.

Stock Up: Brandon Hepburn

Uncredited/Associated Press

To be honest, I know very little about Brandon Hepburn. A seventh-round pick by the Detroit Lions in 2013, the linebacker found his way to the Eagles' practice squad last September. This is his first camp with the Birds, and he has yet to appear in an NFL game.

Hepburn is making quite an impression on coaches and teammates, though. Outside linebacker Brandon Graham told reporters Hepburn is one of the few players who are beating him to the team facility at 6 a.m. every day. Defensive coordinator Bill Davis also noted Hepburn is in the building at all hours of the night.

With the injury to Travis Long, Hepburn moved to outside permanently. Davis also talked about why the Eagles like him there.

"Hep is making a nice transition," Davis said. "He has some size to him. He's 250, 254 pounds I believe and can go to 260, so he kind of fits size-wise out there. He has length to him. You don't like outside backers who don't have much length."

The Eagles have a bit of a depth situation at outside linebacker. After starters Graham and Connor Barwin, it's pretty much Marcus Smith and a big question mark. Perhaps a relative unknown like Hepburn has a shot to make the roster there.

All quotes and camp observations were obtained by the author, unless otherwise noted.