Minnesota Vikings and free agent Xavier Woods have agreed a $ 2.25 million one-year deal that includes $ 1.75 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN on Saturday.
Woods, 25, who became a versatile security guard with the ability to cover the slot during his first four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, is expected to fill the Vikings’ opening for free in front of Harrison Smith after of the departure of Anthony Harris in free agency.
After finishing the season, ranking 29th in allowed points and 27th in allowed gardens, Minnesota has focused its efforts on the defensive side. In addition to Woods, the Vikings have only acquired free-agent defensive players: defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, defenseman 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 and began his last 44 games, losing four games in three seasons due to injury.
Looking ahead to 2020, he was seen as a key piece in the Cowboys ’high school, but he struggled despite finishing second on the team with 72 attacks. He had only two attacks per loss, recorded no sacks and only had two passes defended without intercepting a pass for the first time in his career.
Woods can play at both safety points and also plays as a nickel cornerback as a rookie.
ESPN Courtney Cronin and Todd Archer contributed to this report.