The Dallas Cowboys got a taste of candy, and they liked it. They liked it a lot. After trading up from their first first-round pick, and back from their second, the rush seems to have intoxicated Jerry Jones and the rest of the front office.
For fans watching the team's draft coverage online, there was a lot of focusing on behalf of the broadcast team when it appeared to be some activity. The head of PR made his way on camera, indicating to them something worthy of a statement could be on the immediate horizon. And about 10 minutes later word surfaced the club had worked out a trade with the San Francisco 49ers for LB Dee Winters.
Trade: The #Cowboys are trading for #49ers LB Dee Winters, per me, @TomPelissero and @SlaterNFL.
The Cowboys gave up their remaining fifth-round pick, No. 152, in exchange.
Winters — 5-foot-11 and 227 poinds — was a sixth-round pick in 2023, No. 216 overall, after a successful stint at TCU. Winters was a member of the team's Dallas Day that year, so the scouts and coaching staff is already familiar with him. Winters started all 17 games in 2023 for the 49ers, returning an interception for a 74-yard touchdown that effectively ended the Indianapolis Colts' season.
Welcome to Dallas, Dee Winters. https://t.co/jskPrr42Bc
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He also deflected five passes and had 101 combined tackles that included eight TFLs. He also added in three quarterback hits.
The Cowboys' needs at linebacker have been no secret. They entered draft weekend with just DeMarvion Overshown, Shemar James and Justin Barron on the roster. Winters becomes the senior member of the group although he's just three years in. Overshown might be a few months older, but Winters has appeared in 47 games compared to Overshown's 19.
Winters is set to make $3.67 million this coming season, the final year of his rookie deal.
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 / 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 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 ImagesThis article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys trade for $3.7M 49ers LB, ship out last 5th-round draft pick