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In blink of eye, Cowboys upped this position from hopeless to hopeful
TL;DR
The Dallas Cowboys have transformed their middle linebacker position from a struggle to a promising situation by trading for Dee Winters and drafting key players. This shift comes after years of instability in the role.
Key points
- Dallas Cowboys struggled with middle linebacker position since Vander Esch
- Traded for Dee Winters to bolster the MIKE spot
- Drafted Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence to enhance defense
Dallas Cowboys
In many ways, the Dallas Cowboys havenât had a true middle linebacker on the roster since Leighton Vander Esch. Since then, itâs been a game of ill-fits and musical chairs as Dallas scrambles to fill a key role smack-dab in the middle of their defense.
2026 started out looking like more of the same for the Cowboys' MIKE spot. Jack Sanborn, Kenneth Murray and Logan Wilson were all gone and Marist Liufau moved to an on-ball outside linebacker role in their new 3-4 front. Even early attempts at signing a veteran free agent like Nakobe Dean failed miserably. Yet, when draft weekend rolled around, everything appeared to change.
After selecting defensive back Caleb Downs and edge rusher Malachi Lawrence with their first two picks, Shemar James and Justin Barron were the in-house candidates for starter.
It wasnât the makeover Christian Parker was likely envisioning when he took over the defense in January, so the Cowboys made moves. They traded for fourth-year veteran Dee Winters from San Francisco and started put together what could eventually be a MIKE rotation built on merit rather than desperation.
Q&A
Who did the Dallas Cowboys trade for to improve their middle linebacker position?
The Dallas Cowboys traded for fourth-year veteran Dee Winters from San Francisco to enhance their middle linebacker position.
What changes did the Cowboys make to their defense in 2026?
In 2026, the Cowboys shifted to a 3-4 front and moved Marist Liufau to an on-ball outside linebacker role while drafting Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence.
What has been the history of the Cowboys' middle linebacker position?
The Cowboys have struggled to find a true middle linebacker since Leighton Vander Esch, resulting in a series of ill-fits and temporary solutions over the years.
