San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (53) lines up before the snap during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Zach Bolinger/AP
While the Dallas Cowboys didn’t have a second-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft, they still made an early move on the event’s second night.
The Cowboys traded for 49ers linebacker Dee Winters, sending a fifth-round pick to San Francisco. Winters might be a familiar name for North Texas football fans, as he played collegiately at TCU.
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Here are five things to know about Winters:
1. The basics
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Height: 5-11 Weight: 227 pounds
High school: Burton High School
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2. Is his full name really Dee?
Winters’ full name is De’Monderick. He’s a Texas native, building his craft as a high schooler near the Houston area. He played at Burton High School, a UIL 2A program located about 86 miles northwest of Houston.
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3. He lined up at multiple spots as a high schooler
Winters played several positions at Burton High School, lining up at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, defensive back, linebacker and punter. He was named District 13-2A Div. II MVP as a high school sophomore and District 13-2A Div. II co-MVP in his junior year.
When he got to TCU, he focused solely on the linebacker position. In a 2025 interview with NBC Sports Bay Area, Winters credited former TCU head coach Gary Patterson for the position switch.
“Gary Patterson, he was well-known for transitioning offensive players to defense,” Winters said. “So, I just took his word for what it was and just made the transition and, look at God, it turned out to be great and now I’m here in the NFL in Year 3.”
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4. He played for a national title at TCU
Winters had a pretty successful collegiate career. His best season came in 2022, when he posted 79 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, two pass deflections and an interception.
His success coincided with one of the best seasons in TCU history. Winters and the Horned Frogs made their first College Football Playoff appearance that season, defeating Michigan in the semifinals before falling against Georgia in the title game. Winters was named Defensive MVP of the semifinals after posting a 29-yard pick-six against Michigan.
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5. He won an award for his 2025 showing in San Francisco
Winters had the most productive season of his professional career in 2025, posting 101 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, three quarterback hits and a pick-six. After the season ended, the 49ers named Winters the winner of the Hazeltine Iron Man Award.
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The award, named after former 49ers linebacker Matt Hazeltine, is given to the team’s most inspirational and courageous player. It’s voted on by defensive coaches.