Third-round picks Chevis Jackson and Thomas DeCoud reached terms on four-year contracts with the Falcons on Tuesday. DeCoud said earlier in the day he expected to sign his deal as soon as Wednesday.

Jackson and DeCoud, both defensive backs, are the third and fourth of the Falcons' 11 draft picks to reach contract terms. First-round pick Matt Ryan and seventh-round pick Keith Zinger are signed.

The Falcons also released former Georgia Tech tight end George Cooper.

Jackson, a cornerback, and DeCoud, a safety, could play integral roles this season. Both have taken repetitions with the top two units of the secondary in recent offseason workouts, with Jackson working at both cornerback spots and DeCoud at free safety.

"I'm inviting the pressure," DeCoud said. "I'm a rookie trying to get out there and show them what I can do. They're throwing me in the fire and I'm trying to sizzle a little bit."

With Jackson and DeCoud agreeing to contracts, the team's final third-round pick, Harry Douglas, could be close to reaching terms as well.