FRISCO - Do the Dallas Cowboys get any points for "trying''?
The Cowboys entered NFL Draft weekend knowing they needed to address their linebacker issues, having taken some big swings (and misses) in free agency.
A few weeks ago, the headlines were about Dallas trying (but failing) to sign Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker and Devin Lloyd.
This weekend offered another opportunity, and in the end, after two days of action here inside The Star, Dallas has made two linebacker-related moves ...
But only after another pair of what critics might call "swings and misses.''
We reported weeks ago that Dallas was interested in pursuing a trade for either Jordyn Brooks of the Dolphins or Azeez Al-Shaair of the Texans ... and now ESPN is reporting that the Cowboys did indeed engage in trade discussions with those clubs (and maybe others) but "what those teams wanted in return was too much.''
So again ... is that worthy of "credit for trying''? Brooks and Al-Shaair are All-Pro players, major difference-makers.
The Cowboys, after drafting defensive helpers Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence in the first round, ended up trying to get their linebacker help elsewhere.
And on Day 2 of the draft, the Cowboys used a fifth-round pick to trade for San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters.
Having played three seasons with the 49ers, Winters has played at least 15 games in each season and started all 17 games last year, recording 101 combined tackles, eight tackles for loss, and three quarterback hits.
READ MORE: NFL Draft Experts Grade Cowboys Trade For Caleb Downs: 'A-Plus!'
Additionally, the new defensive coordinator Christian Parker gets another prospect in Round 3 in Jaishawn Barham of Michigan, who is listed as an EDGE but might end up playing linebacker here.
Barham actually drew a crazy comparison from Cowboys scouting boss Will McClay.
"He's been on our radar for a while, and when you look at Arvell Reese, there are things they do similarly," McClay said.
Ohio State's Reese was the No. 5 overall pick by the division rival New York Giants. ... so that's quite a projection.
Seen as an athletic and aggressive player, Winters - just 5-11 and 227 - is good in coverage, has speed, and loves making a big play.
Drafted in the sixth round out of TCU by the 49ers in 2023, coming off his best season in the NFL, he now lands at The Star, looking to make a name for himself.
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It isn't known if this will be the only move Dallas makes for a linebacker, but the Cowboys only parted ways with a fifth-round pick for a player who is a proven NFL guy.
So the Cowboys may have addressed their linebacker need with Winters, who is still only 25 years old and is coming off one of the better seasons of his career. ... and it's possible that Barham ends up being a prize there as well.