SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - The San Francisco 49ers acquired cornerback Willie Middlebrooks from the Denver Broncos on Friday in a trade for defensive end John Engelberger.
The deal swaps two young defensive players who had fallen out of favour on their original teams.
Engelberger, a second-round draft pick in 2000, led the 49ers with six sacks last season, but is thought to be too small to play defensive end in San Francisco's new 3-4 defensive scheme under new coach Mike Nolan. Free agent Marques Douglas was signed in April to take Engelberger's starting job.
Middlebrooks, the Broncos' first-round selection in 2001, was a disappointment in Denver, never earning a regular starting job in four seasons. He will join Ahmed Plummer and Shawntae Spencer in the 49ers' improved defensive secondary.
The deal swaps two young defensive players who had fallen out of favour on their original teams.
Engelberger, a second-round draft pick in 2000, led the 49ers with six sacks last season, but is thought to be too small to play defensive end in San Francisco's new 3-4 defensive scheme under new coach Mike Nolan. Free agent Marques Douglas was signed in April to take Engelberger's starting job.
Middlebrooks, the Broncos' first-round selection in 2001, was a disappointment in Denver, never earning a regular starting job in four seasons. He will join Ahmed Plummer and Shawntae Spencer in the 49ers' improved defensive secondary.
