NFL strong safety Xavier Woods signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings. He had spent his entire career thus far with the Dallas Cowboys.
The #Vikings aren’t done: They’re signing former #Cowboys safety Xavier Woods to a 1-year deal worth up to $2.25M, source said. A perfect system fit and high upside.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 27, 2021
Xavier Woods, Minnesota Vikings, Agree to Contract
Xavier Woods was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round in 2017. In four seasons, Woods has totaled 247 tackles, four tackles for loss, five interceptions and 18 passes defensed. His best statistical season came in 2019, where he had 77 tackles, two interceptions and five passes defensed, including an NFC Defensive Player of the Week nod for Week 9. That performance in Week 9 against the New York Giants included an interception and a forced fumble.
In 2020, Woods appeared and started in 15 games for Dallas, all while totaling 72 tackles, two tackles for loss and just one pass defensed, with no interceptions.
Woods was one of 60 defensive backs selected to the NFL Combine, finishing seventh among safeties in the 40-yard dash and tied third in bench press.
Woods played his college ball at Louisiana Tech. He played all four years before entering for the draft. Woods totaled 181 tackles, 14 interceptions, 20.5 tackles for loss and 18 passes defensed in all but two games at Louisiana Tech. His 325 interception return yards are still the most in the school’s history. Woods’ best college highlight came in the 2014 Heart of Dallas Bowl, where he returned an interception for a touchdown in a win over the University of Illinois. His 2014 year in general was his best, where he totaled 52 tackles, six interceptions and seven passes defensed. The bulk of his 325 interception return yards came that year as well, gaining 230 yards after interceptions.
Woods, who is from Louisiana, played his high school ball at West Monroe High School, helping them win the state championship in his junior year. He originally played wide receiver, but switched to defensive back in his sophomore year. His senior year was where he went on to earn All-state, All-Northeast Louisiana and All-district honors.
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