Minnesota Vikings and security officer Xavier Woods agreed to a $ 2.25 million one-year contract that includes a guaranteed $ 1.75 million, a source confirmed to ESPN on Saturday.
Woods, 25, who grew up in a versatile safety with the ability to fill the vacancy over his first four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, is expected to fill the Vikings’ vacancy in free safety against Harrison Smith after Anthony Harris left. in a free agency.
After finishing the season ranked 29th in allowed points and 27th in allowed yards, Minnesota focused its efforts on the defensive side. In addition to Woods, the Vikings only acquired defensive players in free agency – defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, linebacker Nick Vigil and cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Mackensie Alexander.
A choice 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, losing four games in three seasons due to injury.
Towards 2020, he was seen as a key player for the Cowboys secondary, but he struggled despite finishing second on the team with 72 tackles. He only had two tackles to lose, did not register a sack and only had two passes saved without intercepting a pass for the first time in his career.
Woods can play both on safety spots and as a nickel cornerback as a novice.
Courtney Cronin and Todd Archer of ESPN contributed to this report.