ATL All Day
Fansided

Revisiting the Atlanta Falcons 2008 NFL Draft

By Justin Winters

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 14: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at the Georgia Dome on January 14, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 14: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at the Georgia Dome on January 14, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 13
Next
TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 17: Safety Thomas DeCoud #28 of the Atlanta Falcons sets on defense against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers November 17, 2013 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Tampa won 41- 28. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 17: Safety Thomas DeCoud #28 of the Atlanta Falcons sets on defense against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers November 17, 2013 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Tampa won 41- 28. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /

With their last third round pick, the Falcons snagged a Pro Bowl player.

The pick: Thomas DeCoud, Safety, 98th overall

Their impact: DeCoud played in Atlanta for six years, and was a solid starter for their defense.

During the 2011 season, DeCoud recorded 86 tackles, 4 interceptions, and started 15 games.

He was even better the next year as he snagged 6 interceptions, started every game, and deflected 9 passes.

DeCoud was never a household name, but he was named to the Pro Bowl in 2012.

He’s one of the more underrated players from the Falcons, but he definitely was a solid pick.

Who else was available that round?: DeCoud was the second-to-last pick of the round, as the Ravens drafted Oniel Cousins to complete the third round.

Cousins played in 72 games, but only made 13 starts, and was out of the league by 2014.

Only three of his starts came while with the Ravens, so the Falcons made the smart choice.

Would they switch the pick?: Not a chance. DeCoud started more games by his second year than Cousins did during his whole career.

Although we only had two options to choose from, DeCoud was solid and started a ton of games for the Falcons.

Home/Atlanta Falcons