Kurt: This trade wasn’t going to gain a lot of traction nationally, considering all the hoopla surrounding the NFL Draft, but the move was still significant for the Cowboys.
Now, is he the answer for this defense? That and whether he will hold down green-dot duties is still to be determined, but he certainly is going to bolster Christian Parker’s troops. A 2023 sixth-round draft pick out of nearby TCU, Winters steadily improved in each of his three seasons with the 49ers. So much so that he started all 17 games and led the team with 101 tackles last year. He even returned his first career interception 74 yards for a touchdown.
So it’s not like he wasn’t productive for San Francisco. In fact, according to some reports he was simply the odd man out in a crowded 49ers linebacker room, allowing them to use their resources to pick up an extra draft pick. I also like the fact that he’s been playing for a defense that has a reputation for being one of the most physical in the league, something Dallas could definitely use more of.
With all that said, you can bet the Cowboys are going to continue looking for ways to improve not only the linebacking corps, but the team as a whole. As those like Jerry and Stephen Jones, Will McClay and Brian Schottenheimer have repeatedly said, the pursuit of player acquisition never ends.
But being able to nab Winters, and for just a fifth-round pick at that, has no doubt already strengthened the 2026 version of this Cowboys defense.