"Sometimes it's the moves you don't make that are the right ones all along. Maybe that's the case of the Dallas Cowboys missing out on free agent linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker, both of whom signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. Missing out on these two LBs led the Cowboys to acquire Dee Winters via trade from the San Francisco 49ers."
"The Cowboys sent a fifth-round pick (152nd overall) this year to acquire Winters from the 49ers. This is actually the second trade these two organizations finalized this offseason on the heels of the Osa Odighizuwa trade that netted Dallas a third-round pick (92nd overall) this year."
"By most accounts acquiring Winters via trade from the 49ers has been viewed as a good move by the Cowboys. His addition helps upgrade the Cowboys LB position this year and gives them someone who fits what Christian Parker wants at the position. How it all plays out the on the field is yet to be seen though."
"Walker is a linebacker for the Las Vegas Raiders who earned a 48.5 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 74th among 88 qualified linebackers. His PFF coverage grade of 44.9 ranked 70th among 88 qualified linebackers. His run-defense grade of 54.5 ranked 74th at the position. His pass-rush grade of 62.0 ranked 49th among qualified linebackers."
The Dallas Cowboys missed out on free-agent linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker, who signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. The Cowboys then acquired linebacker Dee Winters from the San Francisco 49ers through a trade. Winters had been rumored as a long-term target, with prior contact between the teams suggested before a deal was completed during the 2026 NFL Draft. Dallas sent a fifth-round pick, 152nd overall, to acquire Winters. The trade followed another offseason deal between the Cowboys and 49ers involving Osa Odighizuwa. The move is viewed as an upgrade to the Cowboys linebacker group and as a fit for Christian Parker’s preferences, though on-field results remain uncertain. Pro Football Focus comparisons suggest similar quality to Walker at a lower cost.
Read at Blogging The Boys
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