The Dallas Cowboys acquired linebacker Dee Winters from the San Francisco 49ers on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, trading their 152nd-overall pick to address a critical gap in their defense.
Winters, a 25-year-old Texas native and former TCU standout, returns to his home state after two seasons with the 49ers, during which he started 27 games and recorded a career-high 101 tackles in 2025. The move fills a void left by the departure of Kenneth Murray and brings stability to a linebacker unit that allowed 30.1 points per game in 2025 — the worst in the NFL and second-worst in franchise history.
The trade marks the second deal between the Cowboys and 49ers in under a month, following Dallas’ earlier exchange of defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa for a third-round pick. By surrendering only a fifth-round selection, Dallas secured a player entering the final year of his rookie contract with a manageable $3.71 million cap hit, minimizing financial risk while adding immediate depth.
For San Francisco, the trade clears a path for 2025 third-round pick Nick Martin to assume a starting role in 2026, while giving the 49ers additional draft capital to pursue long-term roster flexibility. Winters’ familiarity with the Cowboys’ defensive scheme — bolstered by his collegiate ties to TCU and proximity to Dallas-Fort Worth — was cited as a factor in the team’s decision-making process.
The Cowboys’ broader draft strategy has been aggressive and multifaceted: they moved up one spot to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, traded down with the Eagles to gain two fourth-round picks while selecting UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence at 23rd and now added Winters to fortify the second level of their defense. These moves reflect a concerted effort to rebuild a unit that ranked among the league’s most vulnerable a year ago.
For more on this story, see Cowboys Sign DL Before 2026 NFL Draft | News & Analysis.
Defensive coordinator Christian Parker and linebackers coach Scott Symons will oversee Winters’ integration, with the expectation that his experience and discipline can help elevate a group that included inconsistent performers like Jack Sanborn and Logan Wilson in 2025. His ability to diagnose plays and fill gaps quickly was highlighted as a key asset by analysts familiar with his tape.
This follows our earlier report, Cleveland Browns NFL Draft: Realistic Trade Scenarios for No. 6 Pick.
While the trade was graded favorably for both sides — earning a B+ from CBS Sports for each team — its true value will depend on how quickly Winters adapts to a new system and whether he can provide the consistency the Cowboys have lacked at the inside linebacker position.
Why did the Cowboys target Dee Winters specifically?
The Cowboys prioritized Winters due to his proven production — including 101 tackles in 2025 — his Texas roots, and his familiarity with TCU, where Dallas scouts had extensive access during his college career. His ability to play with discipline and fill gaps made him an ideal fit for a defense seeking stability at the second level.
What does this trade mean for the 49ers’ linebacker plans?
By trading Winters, the 49ers open the door for Nick Martin, a 2025 third-round pick, to compete for a starting role in 2026. The acquisition of a fifth-round pick also adds to San Francisco’s draft capital, supporting their strategy of building flexibility for future roster moves.
