The San Francisco 49ers have executed another draft day trade in a continued attempt to stack picks.
The 49ers have sent 25-year-old linebacker Dee Winters to the Dallas Cowboys for a fifth-round selection. San Francisco received the No. 152 overall pick, slated for Day 3, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.
Winters was selected by San Francisco with the No. 216 overall pick in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. In three seasons with the 49ers, Winters recorded 155 combined tackles, 10 pass deflections and an interception returned for a touchdown. He played all 17 games in the 2025 season, where he became a starter and recorded a career-high 101 tackles, five deflections and interception and score.
USA TODAY Sports gave the Cowboys a B+ for move, but here's the trade grade for the San Francisco 49ers:
The 2026 NFL Draft Theater stage at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa. on April 23, 2026.
1 / 23Steel City ready for draft night as the NFL comes to PittsburghThe 2026 NFL Draft Theater stage at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa. on April 23, 2026.
The 2026 NFL Draft Theater stage at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa. on April 23, 2026.
Winters was growing to be a fan favorite. He's young, relatively healthy and he does his job. He stepped up to the call when his name was pulled to be a starter in 2025, filling in for an injury-riddled San Francisco core.
He's shown promise, and that he could be a force in the NFL. From the Cowboys' side, that's exactly what Dallas needs: another defensive boost.
But why would the 49ers send him off? For starters, they eliminated any potential contract negotiation as Winters becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2027. It was either keep him on an expiring contract for the 2026 season, or potentially lose him for nothing.
Additionally, Winters will likely want to continue playing as a starter but that might not happen in San Francisco. Star linebacker Fred Warner, who was injured most of 2025, expects to come back healthy and ready to go. The 49ers signed Dre Greenlaw this offseason, welcoming back the 28-year-old who spent the 2025 season with the Denver Broncos.
Although Winters made strides last season and looks to be on an upward trajectory, the 49ers boast further depth at linebacker with Tatum Bethune and Nick Martin, who have moved up the depth chart.
San Francisco receives a Dallas fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, so if they are in need to replace Winters, they can look to add a player in the draft on a rookie contract.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 49ers trade Dee Winters to Cowboys for fifth round pick