The Minnesota Vikings and free-agent safety Xavier Woods have agreed to a one-year $ 2.25 million deal, including $ 1.75 million guaranteed, a source confirmed to ESPN on Saturday.
25-year-old Woods, who developed into a versatile safety with the ability to cover his first four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, is expected to fill the Vikings’ opening in free safety to Harrison Smith following Anthony’s departure. Harris. in free agency.
After finishing the season ranked 29th in points allowed and 27th in yards allowed, Minnesota has focused its efforts on the defensive side. Besides Woods, the Vikings have only acquired defensive players in the free agency – defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, linebacker Nick Vigil and cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Mackensie Alexander.
A sixth-round pick in 2017, Woods became a full-time starter in his second season with the Cowboys, starting his last 44 games, missing four games over three seasons due to injury.
Heading into 2020, he was seen as a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ high school, but he struggled with 72 tackles despite finishing second on the team. He had only two tackles for loss, did not take up a sack, and had only defended two passes while not intercepting a pass for the first time in his career.
Woods can play safety spots as well as play as a nickel cornerback as a rookie.
ESPN’s Courtney Cronin and Todd Archer contributed to this report.