FRISCO — The Cowboys had a pressing need at linebacker entering Day 2 of the NFL draft and a long time to wait before they could potentially pick one. So they didn’t wait.

The Cowboys on Friday acquired linebacker Dee Winters from the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick. It’s the second trade the Cowboys and 49ers have made this offseason. The 49ers traded a third-round pick for former Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa earlier this offseason.

Cowboys co-owner Stephen Jones said on Friday night that the trade talks for Odighizuwa actually sparked the trade conversations about Winters, as well. Jones said they’ve discussed trading for Winters for over a month. Talks with San Francisco restarted prior to the draft and were culminated less than an hour into Day 2 on Friday.

Winters will immediately be a contender to start at inside linebacker for the Cowboys. He started in all 17 games for the 49ers last season and recorded 101 tackles and an interception return for a touchdown in the regular season. He joins a linebacker room that features DeMarvion Overshown as the likely other starter, as well as second-year players Shemar James and Justin Barron.

“Couldn’t be more thrilled with Dee Winters,” Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said.

The Cowboys have been on the hunt for a linebacker. They went after free agent linebackers like Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean, but both ended up signing with the Las Vegas Raiders. The Cowboys also engaged in trade talks with multiple teams for linebackers prior to the draft, but nothing came to fruition.

There were options early in the draft, as well.

Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles would’ve been a candidate for the Cowboys if he fell in the first round. The Cowboys liked a few other linebackers in the draft, but it was clear early in the second round — at about the time they made the trade for Winters  —  that any potential rookie starter wouldn’t fall to pick No. 92. Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez went 43rd overall to the Miami Dolphins and Missouri’s Josiah Trotter went 46th overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Cowboys co-owner Stephen Jones indicated Thursday night that a potential trade up to get a linebacker would likely be too costly.

Winters, a TCU alum, will be a free agent after this upcoming season. The 49ers selected him in the sixth round of the 2023 draft.