The Dallas Cowboys had arguably the strongest first day of the 2026 NFL Draft after selecting Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence to improve the defensive side of the ball. On Friday, with Day 2 of the draft underway, the front office addressed the linebacker position with a trade with the San Francisco 49ers.
Reports indicate that the Cowboys are acquiring Dee Winters from the 49ers via trade, according to Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Jane Slater of the NFL Network. Dallas finds a linebacker to improve the depth on the roster at the very least.
“Trade: The Cowboys are trading for 49ers LB Dee Winters, per me, Tom Pelissero, and Jane Slater,” said Rapoport.
The Cowboys gave up pick No. 152, a fifth-round selection, to the 49ers to get the deal done, per Todd Archer and Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Dallas still has seven picks remaining in the 2026 NFL Draft.
“The Dallas Cowboys traded for a linebacker Friday, acquiring Dee Winters from the San Francisco 49ers for pick No. 152 in the fifth round of the NFL draft, according to sources,” reported ESPN.
Winters is a three-year veteran who stepped up as a starter for the 49ers last season. He has played 47 total games in his career (27 starts) and stepped up big time for San Francisco in the 2025-26 campaign. Dee Winters ended last season with 101 combined tackles (67 solo) and one interception that he returned for a defensive 74-yard touchdown.
All things considered, Winters might have a chance to earn a starting role in Dallas this offseason. Training camp should be a key moment for the Cowboys, as the franchise has made big moves to improve the defense in the draft.
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