So far, Malcolm Jenkins has been a good pickup for Eagles

The Eagles were determined to upgrade at safety in the offseason, evaluating one of the best free-agent classes at the position ever. But the team did not target two Pro Bowlers who played for Chip Kelly-coached teams at Oregon.

Instead, the Eagles pursued Malcolm Jenkins, a former first-rounder who was not re-signed by the Saints.

When free agency opened, they signed Jenkins to a three-year, $16.5 million contract with $8.5 million guaranteed. Kelly said the team thought Jenkins "was the most versatile in that class."

In four games, Jenkins has 34 tackles, three pass knockdowns, and three interceptions. The Eagles sound thrilled with their investment in Jenkins, who has been one of the NFL's top safeties this season entering Sunday's game against the St. Louis Rams.

"When you're talking about [being measured] against the class, we're talking about four games in a 16-game season, and there's a lot of football left to be played," Jenkins said. "I think all I've shown in this league during the last four games is . . . I can make plays, and that when put in the right positions, this is a role I can thrive in. I think, really, that's all that's been shown so far."

Jenkins was steady in New Orleans, although he totaled only six interceptions in five seasons and was not considered a big hitter. A cornerback at Ohio State who converted to safety, Jenkins juggled different roles while the Saints changed schemes.

But the fact that Jenkins played different roles showed why the Eagles were so interested. Kelly wanted a safety who could play in the box, play deep, and cover. Jenkins did each at times with the Saints.

"We are looking for someone that has all the tools you're looking for, not someone that's just a knockout, going to make a highlight tape, de-cleat you type of guy . . . or someone that just is a great, let's-play-in-the-middle-of-the-field and has great range and all that," Kelly said. "We like to play right safety, left safety, so we are not a strong safety/free safety team. So his versatility was the thing we were really looking for."

Kelly said a big hitter could be a liability in coverage, and a middle-of-the-field safety can be easy to scout because he's always the free safety. Although neither player's skill set is limited, Jairus Byrd was considered a top deep safety and T.J. Ward a top in-the-box safety. Both played at Oregon when Kelly was there.

Byrd replaced Jenkins in New Orleans with a contract that pays nearly $20 million more guaranteed than Jenkins' deal. Ward went to Denver with a contract that has $5.5 million more guaranteed than Jenkins' payoff.

"I coached Jairus and T.J. in college and they are outstanding football players, both Pro Bowl players," Kelly said. "We felt for what we needed at this time that Malcolm was the best fit for us. Is that the best fit for another team? No. But that's the best fit for us and I know we're all happy we got him."

Concerns about Jenkins' ball skills seemed legitimate based on his career interception numbers, especially compared with Byrd's 22 interceptions in five seasons. Jenkins said this summer that the way the Eagles use him would provide more opportunities for big plays.

Jenkins' three interceptions have come in different roles. He was playing man-to-man coverage against the 49ers when he picked off a pass that he returned for a touchdown, and he was playing deep in the middle of the field when he made interceptions against Indianapolis and Washington.

Jenkins deflected the praise, noting that Brandon Boykin and DeMeco Ryans have contributed in coverage on the interceptions. Pressure from Nolan Carroll and Connor Barwin also played a role.

"You take all those elements and my number happened to be called and I'm the one who had the opportunity to make those plays," Jenkins said.

Jenkins also has been valuable in setting up the secondary before the snap. Kelly said there's a "calming influence" to Jenkins, and that "everybody listens to him."

"If you want to say what a professional football player is supposed to behave like, I think Malcolm is a prime example," Kelly said.

Jenkins maintains a certain equanimity that allows him to "be the same every day," he said. The approach extends from the weight room to the meeting room to the locker room to the field on Sundays.

"I think he's really stabilized us on the back end, and I think we're playing better on the back end now than we were, especially early last year," Kelly said. "Hopefully, he can continue to grow and we haven't seen everything from him."

Boykin (hamstring) was a full participant in practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday. He says he's "hopeful" that he can play Sunday. Linebacker Mychal Kendricks (calf) remained out. Kelly said that Kendricks was progressing, but he has not been able to practice.

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