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Scout.com's Adam Caplan says second-year man Thomas DeCoud will likely be the Falcons' new strong safety.
 

Mancini’s Take: DeCoud will have a battle on his hands trying to fend off rookie William Moore at strong safety. While the Cal product had some difficulty adjusting to the speed of the pro game last year, he has terrific ball skills and is quite rangy. In fact, DeCoud looks a lot like a free safety in that he’s a fluid and flexible runner that can cover in space. However, the 6’0” 197-pound defender can also lower the boom and explode through ballcarriers. GM Thomas Dimitroff recently revealed that he wants an intimidator at strong safety. Both Moore and DeCoud are capable of being a tough eighth man in the box.

Mandel's Take: It's interesting that at the Combine Dimitroff said he was looking for someone bigger than DeCoud to replace Lawyer Milloy at strong safety. Now, apparently, Dimitroff and the Falcons are convinced that it's not the size of the dog...I know everyone loves a hard hitter, and DeCoud is just that, but more important to Atlanta will be his versatility and athleticsm. DeCoud had a year to digest the NFL life and now it's his turn to step up and seize the job. If he doesn't have an impact in the first half of the season, it'll be Moore's turn. The former Missouri man would have been drafted sooner had injuries not impacted his senior season. Atlanta may have gotten great value in the ball-hawking Moore if he's healthy. I believe he's the long-term solution, Rev. 
 

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