6 safeties the Carolina Panthers must consider in 2022 free agency

Carolina Panthers must consider Xavier Woods

Xavier Woods is an underrated safety hitting the free-agent market. He can not only cover, but his tackling ability is a huge positive in his play.

Woods attempted 111 tackles and only missed six the entire 2021 season – his first with the Minnesota Vikings. The Carolina Panthers struggled with tackling in 2021 and the veteran could help with that.

At 26 years old, Woods clearly has the experience and plenty of solid play left in the tank. He’s coming off of a good year with three interceptions and benefitted enormously from playing alongside Harrison Smith for Minnesota’s defense.

Woods has do-it-all potential and would fit in well partnering with Jeremy Chinn as the Panthers look to sure things up on the backend. He will be a hot commodity in free agency if the new regime in Minnesota decides to let him walk.

Another positive would be the cost, which might not be that great. Woods signed a one-year deal with the Vikings in 2021 and the Panthers could offer him a cheap two-year deal that’s a team-friendly contract in pursuit of bringing him on board.

This would be a bigger gamble than most. But Woods looks to have put his torrid campaign with the Dallas Cowboys in 2020 firmly behind him.