The Dallas Cowboys’ linebacker room won’t be featured on magazine covers anytime soon, but it’s in a far better spot after the 2026 NFL Draft.
After drafting Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence in the first round, they double-dipped on linebackers on Day 2, trading for 49ers veteran Dee Winters before using their third-round pick on Michigan standout Jaishawn Barham.
Winters isn't the blockbuster addition that fans hoped for, but he offers a high floor to a room that arguably was the worst in the NFL before draft night. As it turns out, Dallas tried making a big splash before pivoting to Winters.
On Wednesday, the Houston Texans and Azeez Al-Shaair agreed to a three-year extension. Mike Garafalo of NFL Network confirmed that the Cowboys inquired about Al-Shaair, as previously reported by ESPN's Todd Archer.
Thank goodness they pivoted to Winters.
The Dallas Cowboys tried to trade for Azeez Al-Shaair before Dee Winters pivot
Al-Shaair has long been viewed as a perfect linebacker target for the Cowboys. He's one of the better off-ball linebackers in the NFL, and is finally getting that recognition in Houston as the nucleus of DeMeco Ryans' suffocating defense.
That’s exactly why a trade always felt like a long shot.
Al-Shaair and Ryans go back to San Francisco, and Houston handpicked him to lead its defense two years ago. For a unit that just finished No. 1 in the NFL and only got better in the draft, there was never a realistic scenario where Ryans would move his field general.
Sure, Al-Shaair is a better player than Winters, but Stephen Jones revealed over the weekend that Winters' name came up in trade discussions when Dallas sent Osa Odighizuwa to the 49ers. It's not like the Cowboys were left scrambling after getting rebuffed by Houston. They had Winters in their back pocket the whole time, which is what any front office should do.
If there is any team in the league to raid for linebackers, it's the 49ers. The Cowboys are looking in the right spots, which is a credit to new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
Trading for Al-Shaair would have vaulted Dallas into the Super Bowl conversation, but the Texans were always going to extend him. That's what makes the Winters pivot so smart.
Winters doesn't move the needle as much as Al-Shaair, but he also wasn't able to reach his ceiling in San Francisco. Last season was the first time he started more than 10 games. Still just 25 years old, his best football is ahead of him.
And by the sound of it, the Cowboys are still open for business.
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