The Dallas Cowboys didn’t hold a second-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft, but they did manage to add a player during the early part of Day 2. The team traded a fifth-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers for linebacker Dee Winters.
It was a move the Cowboys telegraphed at their pre-draft press conference earlier in the week, where they admitted they were likely trading for a veteran player. The player and position were unknown, until now. Winters is a four-year veteran who started all 17 games for the 49ers last season. Here’s five things to know about the newest Cowboys LB.
Dallas finds a LB who has ties to the state, growing up in Burton, Texas. After high school, Winters took his talents to TCU, where he eventually became an All-Big 12 player during his senior season.
Winters ranked as the 87th best player in the state, as was recruited by Arkansas, Northwestern, Arizona St. and Texas Tech before committing to TCU. He was a safety coming out of high school but changed positions at TCU and played in 11 games as a true freshman.
Winters’ play improved each year, and Winters posted career best numbers in 2022, when he led a defense that was included in the College Football Playoffs.
The 7.5 sacks during his senior year, was more than his first three seasons combined, and he was named the most valuable defensive player in the playoff semifinal win over Michigan. Winters finished the game with three tackles for a loss and had a 29-yard interception returned for a touchdown in the upset.
Winters was a sixth-round pick of the 49ers and has followed his college career path, improving each year. He has 47 games of experience in his three campaigns, which has included 27 starts in the last two seasons.
After two subpar years to begin his career, Winters had his best season in 2025. The LB posted personal bests in tackles (101), tackles for a loss (8), and had a highlight interception return for a touchdown.
The Cowboys are banking on an ascending player who is still 25-years old.
November 9, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (53) before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn ImagesJan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (53) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesSep 14, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (53) during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn ImagesSeptember 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) drops a pass defended by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (53) during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn ImagesJan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (53) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesJan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (53) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesDec 22, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (53) carries the ball after an interception for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth quarter of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn ImagesSeptember 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (53) during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn ImagesNovember 9, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (53) before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images1 / 9Dee Winters pic galleryNovember 9, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (53) before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images1 / 9Dee Winters pic galleryNovember 9, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (53) before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images2 / 9Dee Winters pic galleryJan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (53) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images3 / 9Dee Winters pic gallerySep 14, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (53) during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images4 / 9Dee Winters pic gallerySeptember 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) drops a pass defended by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (53) during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images5 / 9Cowboys trade for $3.7M 49ers LB, ship out last 5th-round draft pickJan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (53) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images6 / 95 things to know about the newest Cowboys LB, Dee WintersJan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (53) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images7 / 9Dee Winters pic galleryDec 22, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (53) carries the ball after an interception for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth quarter of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images8 / 9Dee Winters pic gallerySeptember 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (53) during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images9 / 9Dee Winters pic galleryNovember 9, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (53) before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn ImagesYou can chat with or follow Ben on twitter @BenTalksCowboys and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 5 things to know about the new Cowboys LB, Dee Winters