MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have additional additional seasoning to their secondary, agreeing to deal terms with cornerback Mackensie Alexander and protection Xavier Woods.
The Vikings on Monday introduced the discounts, which were being pending completion of a actual physical test. Alexander created a quick return to Minnesota, which drafted him in the next spherical in 2016 out of Clemson. He left as a free agent last yr for Cincinnati, in which he begun 10 games in the nickel role.
The Vikings mostly employed Jeff Gladney, one particular of their 2020 initially-round draft picks, in the slot when they had 5 defensive backs on the discipline past period. By bringing in Alexander and eight-time Pro Bowl pick Patrick Peterson, the Vikings have lessened the pressure on Gladney and Cameron Dantzler, who showed indications of promise in their very first 12 months but were typically confused as rookies.
Woods performed his initial 4 seasons for Dallas after becoming drafted in the sixth round in 2017 out of Louisiana Tech. In 2015, his faculty posture mentor was Karl Scott, who was employed by the Vikings this winter as their defensive backs mentor. Woods became a full-time starter in his next calendar year and has 18 passes defensed, five interceptions and a few compelled fumbles in his career.
He’ll fill the spot vacated by Anthony Harris, who signed with Philadelphia. 5-time Pro Bowler Harrison Smith has manned the other safety spot for 9 seasons.
While the deficiency of a move rush was a obvious trouble, the secondary was additional susceptible final year than ever because Mike Zimmer was hired as head coach in 2014. The Vikings concluded 2020 devoid of a one cornerback who had played in additional than 28 job games. The additions of Peterson and Alexander will make it tougher for Mike Hughes to remain on the crew. Their 2018 initially-round draft pick has been minimal by accidents his whole time in the NFL, with neck difficulty location him back again in each individual of the previous two seasons.
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