News: Falcons defensive back Thomas DeCoud had another solid performance in Week 16 against the Lions Saturday. He racked up six stops in the game, in a 31-18 win.
Analysis: DeCoud has 70 stops on the season, to go along with a career high six interceptions. He has been a solid contributor all year long and can be considered a solid Fantasy IDP option down the stretch.
News: Falcons cornerback Thomas DeCoud totaled five tackles (two solo) and one interception Week 15 vs. N.Y. Giants. It was his second interception in three games and sixth on the season.
Analysis: Decoud is having an excellent season for the Falcons and Fantasy owners. He is among the Top 30 Fantasy scoring defensive backs and has emerged as a reliable play in IDP formats.
News: Falcons defensive back Thomas DeCoud established a new career high Thursday against the Saints, as he intercepted his fifth pass of the season. DeCoud added seven solo tackles in a 23-13 win in Week 13.
Analysis: DeCoud is a bit off his career-high tackle pace from a year ago, with 55 through 12 games. That being said, he is making up for that somewhat with interceptions, so Fantasy owners should continue to consider him a decent IDP option moving forward.
News: Atlanta safety Thomas DeCoud has had two poor games in a row for the Falcons, despite the team beating Tampa Bay Sunday of Week 12. DeCoud finished the game with only two tackles after making just one stop the week prior. DeCoud has 48 tackles on the year for the Falcons.
Analysis: DeCoud has intercepted four passes this season but his last came back in early October against the Redskins. He hasn't picked one off in a while and his tackling has been inconsistent, at best. DeCoud only has low-end Fantasy value in most IDP formats.
News: Falcons defensive back Thomas DeCoud was the star of the defense Week 8 at Philadelphia. Not only did he record a team-high (not to mention season-high) nine tackles, including six solo, but he had his first sack since 2009.
Analysis: DeCoud has four interceptions this season, but the sack is something new. Because he's also an above-average tackler for a defensive back, he probably deserve more attention than he's been getting in Fantasy IDP leagues. Maybe this performance will earn him some.
News: Falcons defensive back Thomas DeCoud, who went without a pick last week after recording three in his first three games, got back on track with a late interception of backup quarterback Kirk Cousins Week 5 at Washington. DeCoud also had three tackles, including two solo.
Analysis: DeCoud has become a terrific center fielder in the Falcons' new defense -- which places an emphasis on turnovers -- finding himself in the right place to make a play on the ball time and time again. If interceptions are a big deal in your league, he probably hasn't contributed the last of his, so as long as you can live with the lack of tackles, he's worth a look in your Fantasy IDP league.
News: Flacons defensive back Thomas DeCoud came away with two more interceptions in Week 3 against the Chargers. DeCoud picked off Philip Rivers twice in the 27-3 win and also recovered a fumble. He finished with three solo tackles and three passes defended.
Analysis: DeCoud has really stepped up his game over the first three games of the year and has been Atlanta's top playmaker in the secondary. He now has three interceptions, seven passes defended and 12 total stops on the year. Fantasy owners should continue to view the 27-year-old as a viable option in most formats heading into Week 4 against the Panthers.
News: Flacons defensive back Thomas DeCoud came away with two more interceptions in Week 3 against the Chargers. DeCoud picked off Philip Rivers twice in the 27-3 win and also recovered a fumble. He finished with three tackles all solo and has now 12 total stops and three interceptions on the year.
Analysis: DeCoud has really stepped up his game over the first three games of the year and has been Atlanta's top playmaker in the secondary. Fantasy owners should continue to view the 27-year-old as a viable option in most formats heading into Week 4 against the Panthers.
News: Falcons defensive back Thomas DeCoud recorded his first interception of the season in Week 2 against the Falcons. He picked off Peyton Manning in the first quarter and finished with five solo tackles in the 27-21 win.
Analysis: DeCoud is coming off a career campaign could be in for an even bigger year with Brent Grimes out for the season. Owners in deeper Fantasy IDP formats should consider adding the 27-year-old.
News: The Falcons have re-signed safety Thomas DeCoud. He had 86 total tackles last year with four interceptions.
Analysis: DeCoud is worth drafting late as a No. 3 Fantasy DB after a pretty solid fourth season. He's in a good spot starting in the back end of the Falcons defense.
News: Falcons DB Thomas DeCoud had a big Monday night in the Week 16 loss at New Orleans. DeCoud led the Falcons in tackles with 10 in the contest. Seven of the 10 tackles were solo stops.
Analysis: DeCoud now has two double-digit tackle games under his belt this season. He's up to 78 tackles on the year and would need a huge game to top 100 with one game left. DeCoud is just a low-end Fantasy option in IDP formats.
News: Falcons DB Thomas DeCoud, who had recorded an interception in three of his previous four games, wasn't quite as fortunate Week 7 at Detroit. In fact, he hardly contributed anything statistically, finishing with just two tackles, including one solo.
Analysis: DeCoud has already equaled a career high with three interceptions and has been a decent source of tackles for a defensive back as well. Week 7 wasn't one of his better games, but he's still worth using as a No. 2 or 3 DB in Fantasy IDP leagues.
News: Falcons DB Thomas DeCoud recorded his third interception of the season Week 6 against the Panthers, coming down with a Cam Newton pass in the end zone on the final play of the game. He also led the Falcons with eight tackles, including seven solo.
Analysis: All three of DeCoud's interceptions have come in the team's last four games, so he's on a roll as far as that goes. The fourth-year player has never had more than three in a season, so he might be on the verge of a breakout campaign in Fantasy IDP formats. For now, you should think of him as a No. 3 DB.
News: Atlanta DB Thomas DeCoud registered nine tackles, including seven solo stops, and an interception during the Falcons' 16-13 loss to Tampa Bay in Week 3 on Sunday. DeCoud picked off QB Josh Freeman during the first quarter with the Buccaneers driving in the red zone.
Analysis: DeCoud's interception in the end zone was a huge play for the 26-year-old. In Week 1, DeCoud dropped two interceptions and lost his job, but rebounded for his fifth career pick. Fantasy owners should view him as a marginal option in IDP formats unless he continues to perform.
News: The Falcons have listed DB Thomas DeCoud as questionable for Saturday's Divisional Playoff game against Green Bay. DeCoud has been dealing with an ankle injury.
Analysis: Keep an eye on DeCoud's status and hope he's able to play against the Packers. When healthy, he has minimal Fantasy value in IDP leagues, and he's not worth drafting in the majority of formats in 2011.
News: Atlanta safety Thomas DeCoud compiled six tackles -- second on the team to Curtis Lofton (seven) -- in the Falcons' 34-18 victory over Seattle in Week 15.
Analysis: DeCoud now has 61 tackles this season and is closing in on his career-high 68 stops set in 2009 in his second year as a pro. He has reached at least six tackles in three of his last four games but offers little Fantasy value to owners in IDP leagues. Keep him on waivers.
News: Falcons DB Thomas DeCoud recorded a season-high nine tackles, including six solo, at Carolina in Week 14. He's up to 55 on the season.
Analysis: DeCoud doesn't typically record a bunch of tackles, and he has only one interception this season. He's really just a last resort in Fantasy IDP leagues.
News: Falcons DB Thomas DeCoud equaled a season high with seven tackles, including five solo, Week 12 against the Packers. He also forced a fumble for the first time this season.
Analysis: DeCoud usually doesn't get much more than three or four tackles per game, and he's obviously not a great source of turnovers. He should remain on waivers in virtually all Fantasy IDP leagues.
News: Falcons DB Thomas DeCoud left Week 7 against Cincinnati with a head injury after a helmet-to-helmet collision with Bengals running back Cedric Benson. DeCoud's teammates waved for Atlanta's trainers following the play with 3:17 remaining in the first quarter. DeCoud was kneeling when trainers arrived and was escorted to the sideline. There was no penalty on the play. He sat out the rest of the game, finishing with two solo tackles. Erik Coleman replaced him in the lineup.
Analysis: DeCoud doesn't get many interceptions for a defensive back and isn't an especially good tackler. Regardless of this injury, he should remain on waivers in virtually all Fantasy IDP formats.
News: Falcons DB Thomas DeCoud picked off Falcons DB Thomas DeCoud in a Week 15 win over the Jets.
Analysis: DeCoud had a two-interception game earlier this season and is having a decent sophomore campaign. Only use him in deeper IDP leagues for Week 16 vs. Buffalo.
News: Falcons defenders did little of note on Sunday in a Week 14 loss to the Saints. Stephen Nicholas was the team’ s leading tackler in the game with nine. Mike Peterson was second with eight while Thomas DeCoud and Brent Grimes tied for third with seven. John Abraham had four tackles in the game and forced a fumble. Curtis Lofton was limited to just three tackles.
Analysis: The Falcons defense doesn’t have too many playmakers on it and that was evident against the Saints in Week 14. Lofton is a must-start while Peterson is a No. 2 option. Decoud is a low-end option while Grimes and Nicholas are hardly worth owning in IDP play.
News: Falcons DB Thomas DeCoud earned his second sack Week 8 at New Orleans, also forcing a fumble. He finished with five tackles, including three solo.
Analysis: DeCoud has a sack or an interception in each of his last three games, so he's emerging as a playmaker on the Falcons defense. He's worth a flier as a No. 2 or 3 DB in Fantasy IDP leagues.
News: Falcons DB Thomas DeCoud, who recorded the first two interceptions of his career last week, recorded the first sack of his career Week 7 at Dallas. He also had 10 tackles, eight solo.
Analysis: DeCoud is getting a chance to start for the first time in his young career, and he's beginning to emerge as a playmaker. He's worth a flier if you need a No. 2 or 3 DB in Fantasy IDP leagues.
News: Notable Falcons defenders from Week 6 vs. Chicago include: DB Thomas DeCoud (five solo tackles, two interceptions), LB Mike Peterson (six solo tackles, sack), LB Curtis Lofton (10 total tackles, forced fumble), DB Erik Coleman (nine total tackles), DE John Abraham (four total tackles, half sack) and DT Jonathan Babineaux (three total tackles, half sack, forced fumble).
Analysis: Of these people, Lofton, Peterson, Coleman and Abraham are legitimate Fantasy starters at their positions. Take note of DeCoud as he's been making good use of his playing time and could be on the rise. Babineaux typically doesn't post big stats. The Falcons play at the Cowboys in Week 7.
News: Falcons LB Coy Wire (ankle) and S Thomas DeCoud (ankle) are both questionable for Week 1 vs. Detroit. Wire did not participate in practice Friday while DeCoud was limited.
Analysis: Neither of these players are expected to produce significant stats on a regular basis to begin with. Keep them players off of Fantasy rosters until further notice.
News: The Falcons filled out their draft with LB Curtis Lofton from Oklahoma in the second round, DB Chevis Jackson from LSU in the third round, WR Harry Douglas from Louisville in the third round, DB Thomas DeCoud from California in the third round, LB Robert James from Arizona State in the fifth round, LB Kroy Biermann from Montana in the fifth round, RB Thomas Brown from Georgia in the sixth round, DB Wilrey Fontenot from Arizona in seventh round and TE Keith Zinger from LSU in the seventh round.
Analysis: Lofton and Jackson will have a chance to start right away for the Falcons DST, with Jackson as a possible replacement for the departed DeAngelo Hall. James, Biermann and Fontenot will likely try to make the team as special teams players. On offense, look for Douglas to compete for a starting spot opposite Roddy White. Douglas has minimal Fantasy value at this time, but he could be a solid addition off the waiver wire. Brown has minimal Fantasy value at RB at this time.
