The Dallas Cowboys have bolstered their linebacker corps by acquiring Dee Winters from the San Francisco 49ers in a trade announced on Friday, April 24, 2026. The move came during Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, with the Cowboys sending their 152nd-overall pick—a fifth-round selection—to San Francisco in exchange for the 25-year-old defender. This transaction marks the second trade between the two teams in recent weeks, following an earlier deal that sent defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to the 49ers for a third-round pick.
Winters, a Brenham, Texas native who attended Burton High School, returns to his home state after spending his first three NFL seasons with the 49ers. Originally selected by San Francisco in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Winters played collegiately at TCU, where he earned First-team All-Big 12 honors in 2022. His familiarity with the Dallas-Fort Worth area through his college career provided the Cowboys with additional scouting insight during the pre-draft process.
In his most recent season with San Francisco, Winters started all 17 games and led the team with a career-high 101 tackles. He also recorded five passes defensed, three quarterback hits, and his first career interception, which he returned 74 yards for a touchdown. His performance in 2025 marked a breakout year, establishing him as a starting linebacker after rotational roles in his rookie season.
The acquisition addresses a clear require for the Cowboys, who had been seeking to strengthen their linebacker unit since the start of free agency. Winters joins fellow Texas natives DeMarvion Overshown and Shemar James in a linebacker room overseen by defensive coordinator Christian Parker and linebackers coach Scott Symons. His versatility—having begun his college career as a safety before transitioning to linebacker—aligns with Parker’s preference for multi-skilled defenders.
This trade is part of a broader defensive investment by Dallas in the 2026 NFL Draft. Earlier in the draft, the Cowboys selected Ohio State safety Caleb Downs with the 11th-overall pick after trading up, and they chose UCF pass rusher Malachi Lawrence with the 23rd-overall pick in a trade down that netted additional fourth-round selections from the Philadelphia Eagles. These moves, combined with the Winters acquisition, signal a concerted effort to upgrade the defensive roster under Parker’s leadership.
For the 49ers, receiving the 152nd-overall pick provides additional draft capital as they continue to manage their roster amid ongoing transitions. Winters, who was entering the final year of his rookie contract with a base salary of $3.6 million for the 2026 season, now begins a new chapter with a franchise where he has deep regional roots and prior scouting familiarity.
The trade underscores the Cowboys’ aggressive approach to roster building during the 2026 draft cycle, leveraging draft capital to secure targeted defensive talent without waiting for their scheduled selections. By addressing the linebacker position early on Day 2, Dallas aims to stabilize a unit that has undergone significant changes in recent seasons.
As the 2026 NFL season approaches, Winters will look to build on his breakout year in San Francisco while adapting to a new defensive scheme in Dallas. His ability to contribute immediately as an experienced starter adds value to a Cowboys defense aiming to rebound after a period of inconsistency.
The next step for both franchises will be the continuation of the 2026 NFL Draft, where remaining selections will be made to complete their rookie classes. For the Cowboys, integrating Winters into the defensive playbook and building chemistry with new and returning teammates will be a priority throughout the offseason program and training camp.
Fans and analysts will monitor how Winters fits into Dallas’ defensive plans, particularly in pairing with existing linebackers and contributing to the team’s overall defensive identity under Christian Parker. His performance in training camp and preseason games will offer early indicators of his impact on the squad.
For ongoing updates on the Dallas Cowboys’ roster moves, draft selections, and offseason developments, readers can follow the team’s official channels and trusted sports news outlets covering NFL transactions and team news.