The Dallas Cowboys are looking to improve their defense after a poor 2025 performance. They picked former Ohio State star Caleb Downs with the No. 11 pick in the first round and followed it up with an unexpected trade for San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters during the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. It’s interesting timing for the Cowboys to land a linebacker that could start for them in Week 1. Here’s how the NFL world is reacting to the news.
NFL World Reacts to Dee Winters Trade
Winters is going to be an important piece to the Cowboys’ defense. Dallas finished last in the NFL in PFSN’s Defense Impact Metric, with an impact score of 62.1. After making some defensive splashes in the offseason and adding Downs in the draft, the Cowboys called up the 49ers and acquired Winters to patrol the middle of the field.
The Cowboys are sending the No. 152 pick to the 49ers in exchange for Winters, according to Adam Schefter.
Comp update: the Cowboys are sending pick No. 152 the 49ers for LB Dee Winters. https://t.co/2BILU0ETm4
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 24, 2026
The NFL world knows the Cowboys are rebuilding their defense and has responded with praise for the largely scrutinized Dallas franchise.
“Hey! I like this!” said NFL analyst Marcus Mosher.
Hey! I like this! https://t.co/kb9RijvUrD
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) April 24, 2026
The Cowboys cannot afford a repeat of the 2025 season on defense. Winters was the 45th-ranked linebacker in PFSN’s LB Impact Metric last season. He offers a reliable presence up the middle and stepped up big time in San Francisco during Fred Warner’s absence. Dallas tried to solve their issues with the Logan Wilson acquisition midseason in 2025, but that didn’t work. Now, it’s time for Winters to shine, to the surprise of quite a few.
“Oh wow,” said 49ers writer Jason Aponte.
Oh wow https://t.co/svAaBJsJQW
— Jason Aponte (@JasonAponte2103) April 24, 2026
“Did not expect this,” added John Owning, a Cowboys writer, on X.
The Cowboys needed to fill that need at linebacker. Steelers LB Patrick Queen was a name rumored to potentially be headed to Dallas, but the Cowboys went elsewhere.
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“This officially puts an end to the Patrick Queen to Cowboys rumors/speculating,” wrote Steelers Depot.
This officially puts an end to the Patrick Queen to Cowboys rumors/speculating #Steelers #NFL https://t.co/lTwaLPWysR
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) April 24, 2026
This is what they needed, and Cowboys Nation is pretty excited.”The Cowboys get a LB!” said Let’s Go Cowboys on X.
The Cowboys can finally breathe as there is significant investment in their defense. With Downs getting set to secure the back end of the secondary, Quinnen Williams and Rashan Gary on the defensive line, and a new defensive coordinator, Christian Parker, the Cowboys’ defense could be poised for a remarkable turnaround.
Editor’s Note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available.
