The Minnesota Vikings and the safety of free agent Xavier Woods have agreed to a one-year deal with $ 2.25 million, which includes $ 1.75 million guaranteed, ESPN confirmed Saturday.
The 25-year-old Woods, who has turned into a versatile safety with the ability to cover the slot in his first four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, is expected to fill the Vikings’ free safety opening against Harrison Smith after his departure. Anthony Harris in free agency.
After finishing the season in 29th place in allowed points and 27th in allowed meters, Minnesota focused its efforts on the defensive side. In addition to Woods, the Vikings acquired only free agency defensive players – defensive forward Dalvin Tomlinson, defender Nick Vigil and defenders Patrick Peterson and Mackensie Alexander.
Picking in the sixth round in 2017, Woods became a full-time starter in his second season with the Cowboys and started his last 44 games, missing four games in three seasons due to injury.
In 2020, he was seen as a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ secondary, but struggled despite finishing second in the team with 72 approaches. He had only two strikeouts for loss, did not record a sack and had only two passes defended while not intercepting a pass for the first time in his career.
Woods can play both safe places and also played as a nickel defender as a rookie.
ESPN’s Courtney Cronin and Todd Archer contributed to this report.