General manager John Lynch explained the decision to trade down as a proactive move when targeted players didn’t fall, noting widespread movement among teams trying to back up. The 49ers also executed a Day 2 trade sending linebacker Dee Winters to the Dallas Cowboys for a fifth-round pick (No. 152), acknowledging Winters’ strong locker-room impact while signaling confidence in their linebacker depth.
Key takeaways:
– The 49ers traded out of the first round to collect more picks and manage cap/needs.
– Day 2 selections included De’Zhaun Stribling, Romello Height, and Kaelon Black.
– Trades were driven by players not being there as hoped and a broader market trend of teams moving back.
– Dee Winters was traded to Dallas for a fifth-round pick, reflecting roster balancing and value optimization.
