3 reasons Xavier Woods will be a big hit for the Vikings in 2021
By Dean Jones
Woods has bounce-back potential
Although Woods did struggle last season for the Cowboys, he wasn’t alone. The team was, once again, disappointing on their way to missing the playoffs in a dismal NFC East. This resulted in the team hiring a new defensive coordinator in Dan Quinn to galvanize the franchise next season.
This is the best possible outcome for Woods, who gets the chance for a fresh start on a defense that seems tailormade for him to bounce back.
Minnesota’s formidable defensive front is matched by a strong core of linebackers at the second level, along with the signings of Patrick Peterson and Mackensie Alexander adding another big boost to a secondary that went through its fair share of complications in 2020, thanks in part to inexperience.
Providing Woods makes a smooth transition into Zimmer’s scheme, it could see the former sixth-round pick get back to the sort of form that saw him achieve grades of more than 70 from Pro Football Focus over his first three years in the NFL.