Dee Winters

Career StatsB-

Year	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT
Career		47	155	—	1
2025		17	101	0.0	1
2024		15	44	0.0	0
2023		15

Season	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT	PD	Grade
2025		17	101	0.0	1	—	C+ C+ Top 48% — above average
2024		15	44	0.0	0	—	D D Bottom 20%
2023		15	10	0.0	0	—	F F Bottom 5%

Grades reflect the player's performance in each season. Header grade shows the current season.

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The B+ Contract Value Index on Dee Winters' deal stems from how the cap hit lines up against on-field output. At $993K AAV over four years on a rookie scale contract, Winters carries minimal financial risk—a classically efficient first-round-adjacent investment that the San Francisco organization structured well. His 2025 season production of 101 tackles and an interception across 17 games translates to solid depth-contributor output, and that on-field performance grade of B- reflects reliable tape work that tape evaluators recognize even if the broader narrative does not. The linebacker market typically demands above-average cap commitment from proven starters, so Winters' modest AAV gives the 49ers—and now Dallas, following the recent trade—room to absorb his role without dead cap pressure or long-term cap constraints. Yet the transaction itself tells the real story: the 49ers moved him for only a fifth-round pick, an explicit valuation signal that undercuts any premium-contributor narrative and confirms his standing as depth rather than core. The CVI grade reflects smart asset management on a low-cost contract, but the gap between his B- performance grade and D- sentiment grade exposes the disconnect between what Winters does on the field and how little the public or media recognize it—a reality unlikely to shift without a dramatic production spike or expanded role in his new system.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the B band — a quick read on where Dee's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Dee Winters is a 25-year-old linebacker entering his fourth year with San Francisco, steadily carving out a legitimate role in one of the NFL's most demanding defensive systems. Earning a B- overall grade this season, he profiles as a solid starter with clear developmental upside still ahead. At 25 with three seasons of experience, Winters resembles an ascending player rather than a finished product. His tackle production is the headliner — 5.94 tackles per game demolishes the NFL average of 2.19 and edges toward the elite threshold of 7.32. His TFL rate of 0.44 per game also clears the league average of 0.27, flashing real instincts as a disruptor near the line of scrimmage. Pass defense remains the area to watch, as his 0.29 pass deflections per game tops the 0.18 NFL average but sits well short of the elite benchmark of 0.50. His season-over-season trajectory tells an encouraging story — improving from a D- in 2023 to a C in 2024 to a B- this season reflects accelerating development, not a fluke. If Winters continues trending upward, a B+ ceiling within two seasons is realistic for a linebacker in Kyle Shanahan's scheme. Watch for growth in coverage assignments as the clearest indicator of whether he can become a true three-down linebacker.

How Dee Compares at the Position

Dee Winters ranks 83rd of 338 graded linebackers by performance. That slots Dee between Zach Cunningham (B-) just ahead and Shemar James (B-) just behind.

Fan Sentiment

Dallas adds a solid depth linebacker who had a career year with San Francisco. Multiple outlets report Winters was surprised by the trade, indicating it wasn't orchestrated by him. The fifth-round pick cost is reasonable for a rotational defender entering his prime. Winters' homecoming narrative resonates with fans, adding local appeal to the acquisition. Cowboys get an above-average backup linebacker to strengthen their interior defense rotation.