By Eliot Shorr-Parks | NJ Advance Media

PHILADELPHIA -- The Eagles are four days into training camp and the roster is starting to come into focus.

The toughest decisions will be at running back, where Donnel Pumphrey, Matt Jones, Josh Adams and Wendell Smallwood are competing for (likely) two roster spots.

What do Pumphrey and Jones bring to the table in their attempt to make the roster?

Hear from both players, as well as some other observation's from Saturday's practice, below:

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Lori M. Nichols | NJ.com

Donnel Pumphrey to the slot?

Eagles running back Donnel Pumphrey knows exactly what the majority of the fanbase thinks of him after a poor training camp performance in 2017.

‘I’m just waiting for that opportunity so I am able to show the fans what I am all about,” Pumphrey said on Saturday. “I don’t want to be known as a wasted pick. I know I’m not that guy.”

Pumphrey has not looked like that guy so far during training camp.

The second-year running back is catching everything thrown his way and has been one of the most targeted backs on the team in the passing game. His speed has been on full display once he has the ball in his hands.

“I feel like it is going really well. I feel a lot more comfortable than last year,” Pumphrey said. “I know what to expect. I don’t really have to think. I more just am ready for action.”

A major emphasis for Pumphrey over the the last year has been putting on weight without slowing down. He feels he has accomplished that goal.

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“I came in at 186. Last year I came in at 180 and I was trying to put on weight as camp was going on, but that is difficult with the heat and stuff,” Pumphrey said. “Now I put on muscle. It took me all year, working with the staff. I feel a lot stronger, faster, quicker. I’m ready for that opportunity.”

It appears the Eagles are willing to give Pumphrey that opportunity as he has been getting reps with the first-and-second team offense so far in training camp. Although he likely won’t carry the ball a ton this season it does seem the Eagles are preparing to make him part of the passing game.

“I expect to move to the slot a little bit more. At least that is what the coaches are telling me,” Pumphrey said. “They want me to do a lot more crossing routes with me and different stuff. Just looking forward to it.”

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Matt Jones

The Eagles have a loaded backfield right now. Picking the final four or five that make the final roster will not be easy.

Veteran running back Matt Jones did everything he could prior to training camp get prepare himself to win a roster spot. Including working out with Hall of Fame receiver Randy Moss.

“It was unbelievable. Just to get around him and understand the game from a guy who is one of the greatest to play receiver,” Jones said. “His catching ability, his knowledge being around the offense and everything like that. Technique wise I learned a lot. Especially with my hands and coming off the line. It was real big for me to be with him.”

Jones was a threat out of the backfield during his rookie season in 2015 with the Washington Redskins. Jones caught 19 of the 25 passes that were thrown his way that season for an average of 16 yards per reception.

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Jones faces a bit of an uphill battle to make the team. The veteran is competing with Pumphrey, Wendell Smallwood and Josh Adams for one of the final two (or potentially just one) roster spots.

Despite the competition Jones feels his experience in the NFL plus his ability to make plays out of the backfield could give him an advantage.

“I feel like I can do a lot to contribute for this team to win. I think it comes down to who wants it more. That is why we are out there competing. We are deep in that room. We are getting coached up so they can make a final decision.”

As for his desire to potentially “Moss” a defender this preseason?

“Hopefully,” Jones said with a smile.

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Avonte Maddox

The Eagles have such a plethora of young cornerbacks on the roster right now that it would be easy for some to slip through the cracks.

Something rookie cornerback Avonte Maddox is trying to avoid.

“I am just willing to help anyway I can. It doesn’t matter," Maddox said. "Special teams. If it is at the nickel, it is at the nickel. If it is at the corner, it is at corner. It really doesn’t matter. Wherever those guys need me to play, I’m willing to play it."

Maddox was the Eagles’ fourth-round pick out of Pittsburgh in the 2018 NFL Draft. Normally a mid-round pick would come to camp with plenty of eyes watching his development. That has not been the case with the Eagles, as Maddox has been able to come along at his own pace instead of being forced onto the field out of necessity.

Near the top of Maddox’s to-do list? Learn the nickel position.

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“I am getting used to it. I didn’t play it as much in college but I am getting tips from all these guys and they are helping me out now,” Maddox said. “Just got to learn where your help is. Leverage. Things like that I am getting used to now. I am starting to get comfortable. Being a fast player you don’t have to be always on top at nickel. Those are just things I am learning as I go on.”

Maddox has been working mostly with the third-team, but he has gotten a few snaps with the second unit in the first three days of camp. It would be surprising if Maddox played on defense this season unless the unit suffers a ton of injuries.

His likely small role this season doesn’t mean he isn’t a big part of the team’s plan going forward. The Eagles didn’t use a fourth-round pick on Maddox for him to work with the third-team his whole career.

Making his development, even if it is with 2019 in mind, an important thing to watch during the preseason.

“I feel pretty good. Trying to learn and be able to perform and play fast,” Maddox. “Not make as many mistakes.”

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Groh explains Isaac Seumalo's struggles

It doesn't take an NFL scout to realize backup center Isaac Seumalo is struggling to snap the ball.

The daily occurrence of footballs flying over the head of Eagles' quarterbacks makes that pretty clear.

Offensive coordinator Mike Groh explained on Saturday why he believes Seumalo is struggling to snap the ball.

"Isaac missed some sometime in the spring. I think he's kind of just working back into things a little bit. And our observation has been its occurred mainly on the runs where he's working to get up field quickly on the second level," Groh said. "We've pointed that out to Isaac, and he's made a lot of good snaps too, but we've got to eliminate the bad ones."

This is a make-or-break training camp for Seumalo. He lost his starting job at left guard last season due to poor play. His benching is part of the reason he is trying to play center this offseason.

Starting to snap the ball cleanly would be a good first step towards making the team.

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Competition at tight end

The Eagles have arguably the best set of pass-catching tight ends in the NFL with Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert on their roster.

The battle for the spot behind them? That is very much up in the air.

The Eagles will likely only carry three tight ends. That means veterans Richard Rodgers and Joshua Perkins are battling for a roster spot. Second-year tight end Billy Brown is also in the mix.

Groh has liked what he has seen from all of them so far.

"I'm really impressed with the entire group, to be honest with you. Top to bottom, everybody looks like they've improved. Put a lot of time in over the course of the summer. They all came in in great shape," Groh said. "They're limited in their mental errors, they’re assignment sound right now. Making plays when the ball comes to them, they’re all big targets [and] all of them can run. It's up to us to try and find a role for them."

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EAGLES: Wentz takes big (but risky) step towards returning

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Random Observations

Here are some random observations from Saturday's practice:

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EAGLES: 3 young players that have impressed so far

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Shelton Gibson

Receiver Shelton Gibson might be one of the most improved players on the roster since last season.

Gibson couldn't catch a cold during his rookie minicamp in 2017. His drops were a daily discussion among reporters. The result was Gibson barely seeing the field last year.

His struggles last season make his play this year that much more noticeable. Gibson has done a much better job catching the ball and that alone has allowed his other skills to show. Gibson has great speed and has routinely been able to make plays down the field against the Eagles' defense.

It will be interesting to see how much playing time Gibson ends up getting this season.

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Dallas Goedert

Goedert was really impressive catching the ball on Saturday.

The rookie tight end make one catch that essentially required him to completely turn around while falling onto his back in tight coverage. Despite the gymnastics required he held on and made it.

Goedert seems to be improving each day. The Eagles have to be thrilled with where he is at right now and the potential he has going forward.

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Jordan Hicks on the outside

The Eagles had middle linebacker Jordan Hicks line up at outside linebacker a few times on Saturday. Stepping in for Hicks at middle linebacker was Joe Walker.

Hicks has the ability to play all three linebacker spots but he has played middle linebacker exclusively so far during his NFL career. The Eagles were likely just trying different formations out but Hicks taking some snaps at outside linebacker shouldn't be ruled out this season.

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Nelson Agholor has come a long way

Fourth-year receiver Nelson Agholor made the catch of the day on Saturday when he reached out to snatch a pass out of the air with his bare hands and held on despite tough coverage.

It is a pass that Agholor likely would have dropped during his rookie year. He likely would have dropped it during his second year as well.

It is clear that Agholor is playing with a ton of confidence right now coming off of a breakout third-season. Catches like the one he made on Saturday are becoming more-and-more routine.

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EAGLES: Michael Bennett talks about stacked defensive line

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Nate Sudfeld

Third-string quarterback Nate Sudfeld is seeing the field less-and-less during practice now that quarterback Carson Wentz is taking part in team drills. Sudfeld took just 12 reps on Saturday while both Wentz and Nick Foles took at least 20.

The good news for Sudfeld is that he should get the majority of the snaps in the preseason games. Sudfeld has been impressive when he has been on the field this offseason. It will be interesting to see how he plays in the preseason games.

It wouldn't be surprising if teams around the NFL try to call and pry Sudfeld away from the Eagles if he has a strong showing in the Eagles' first two games.

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Doug Pederson

"Coach, I know you don't want to put a timetable on Carson …"

That exact phrase has been thrown at Eagles' coaches plenty of times this offseason. Only on Saturday those exact words came from an Eagles coach. And they were directed at another coach.

Head coach Doug Pederson popped into Groh's press conference on Saturday, Rita's Water Ice in his hand, and began to ask Groh about the status of Wentz.

Groh's answer?

"That is a question for Coach Pederson."

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Podcast: The No-Huddle Show

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Where to reach me

Eliot Shorr-Parks may be reached at eshorrpa@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @EliotShorrParks. Find NJ.com Eagles on Facebook.