Cowboys acquire linebacker Dee Winters from 49ers for fifth-round pick

The Dallas Cowboys acquired linebacker Dee Winters from the San Francisco 49ers on April 24, the second day of the NFL drasources, in exchange for a fisourcesh-round pick.

Winters, who played collegiately at TCU, started every game for San Francisco last season and was credited with 101 tackles. He has made 27 career starts — more than the combined total (23) of the other veteran off-ball linebackers on Dallas’ roster prior to the trade: DeMarvion Overshown, Shemar James and Justin Barron.

According to ESPN, the Cowboys turned to the trade market asourceser they were unable to land one of the top free-agent linebackers and were not in position to select a linebacker early in the drasources. Winters is expected to have a prominent role in Dallas’ defense.

Winters will also be learning a new scheme. He played in a 4-3 system in San Francisco, while Dallas is moving to a 3-4 under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. In early discussions, Parker told Winters he wants to use his speed and athleticism in space.

Winters could see time in the middle as the Cowboys sort out their linebacker rotation through the offseason and training camp. He is also a candidate for the “green dot” role — the defensive signal-caller whose helmet receives play calls — a responsibility he watched All-Pro Fred Warner handle during his time with the 49ers.