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Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, linebacker Dee Winters was a crucial member of the San Francisco 49ers’ defense. He left the draft as one of the new faces of a new Dallas Cowboys defense.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect it at all. I was kind of surprised. … I definitely had no plans to be traded,” Winters said of being dealt to Dallas during the draft, according to the Cowboys’ team website. “But everything happens for a reason. I’m excited to be back home and I’m going to play for the Dallas Cowboys.”
Dallas traded the No. 152 pick in this year’s draft to San Francisco to acquire Winters, a Texas native and TCU alum who is entering the final season of his rookie contract.
Winters is coming off arguably the best season of his three-year NFL career. In 2025, he set career highs with one interception – which he returned for a touchdown – five passes defensed, eight tackles for loss and 101 combined tackles.
What was the key to his success?
“I just think the attention to detail last year and just kind of understanding what offenses like to do,” Winters said of his 2025 campaign. “I feel like I started picking it up more as I got reps. Just that experience, every game getting better and trying to use that motto. I think that really helped me have a decent year.”
Meanwhile, in Dallas, the Cowboys gave up the most points in the NFL (30.1 per game), finished 30th in opponent total yards (377.0 per game) and had just 35.0 sacks (5-way tied for 22nd). After the season, Dallas fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after one year in favor of former Philadelphia Eagles passing coordinator and defensive end Christian Parker, who has a viable plan for Winters.
“He wants me in the room,” Winters said. “He feels like one of my assets is being in space and being able to tackle in space. Just run and hit with my physicality and quickness that I bring to the game. Him and I are both excited to see how it goes and go from there.”
Winters was selected by San Francisco in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He played four seasons at TCU (2019-22), which is about 20 minutes west of AT&T Stadium, home of the Cowboys. He grew up in Burton, Texas, about three and a half hours south of Dallas.
The Cowboys have revamped their defense this offseason. In addition to acquiring Winters, Dallas traded for Green Bay Packers linebacker Rashan Gary and signed defensive backs Jalen Thompson (three-year, $33 million deal) and Cobie Durant (one-year, $4 million deal). Then in the draft, Dallas selected Ohio State Buckeyes safety and two-time All-American Caleb Downs with the No. 11 pick and UCF Knights defensive end Malachi Lawrence with the No. 23 pick.
