The defensive turnaround that took place in Dallas began with the hiring of coordinator Christian Parker in January. The team has since worked tirelessly to acquire talent that fits DC’s scheme for the first time, including a smooth trade for veteran running back Rashan Gary in the offseason and the free-agent acquisitions of defensive backs Jalen Thompson, PJ Locke, Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick.
Friday night’s trade for Winters filled perhaps one of the bigger needs on defense entering the draft. The Texas native is coming off a career-best season in San Francisco where he posted 101 tackles, eight tackles for loss and a defensive touchdown after seeing the most playing time of his young career.
Perhaps most importantly, Winters is expected to wear the green dot on the Cowboys’ revamped defense.
“This is a guy we’ve been watching play for a while,” Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “He has 17 starts [in 2025]rare speed and athleticism. Adds a veteran to this room for us, which is great.”
On the other hand, Barham is expected to be a versatile rookie that Parker can use in multiple ways, pointing to star Eagles LB Zack Baun as a comparison.
“We’re going to try him at inside linebacker first,” Schottenheimer said. “We love the physicality he plays with, but one of the things that if you look at a defense led by Christian Parker or Vic Fangio.
“Think about it [Eagles linebacker] Zack Bean. There are guys who have the ability to do that. They change [offensive] line calls. We think we want to start him inside. We also think we can move him as a third-down rusher when the situation calls for it. That’s what we love about the guy.”
The Cowboys still have room to add talent on Day 3 with three fourth-round picks and a seventh-round pick. Looking at the remaining prospects, they are confident they can find a starter to wrap up what the Cowboys feel has been a successful weekend already.
“I think we’re going to get three really good football players based on all the work we’ve done on the board,” Cowboys general manager Stephen Jones said Friday. “I think we’re going to get guys that we have third- and fourth-round grades for those picks and that’s only going to help our football team.”