Santa Clara, Calif. – The San Francisco 49ers acquired cornerback Willie Middlebrooks from the Denver Broncos today in a trade for defensive end John Engelberger.
The deal swaps two young defensive players who had fallen out of favor 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.
Middlebrooks faces misdemeanor charges of third-degree assault and harassment in the Denver suburb of Aurora stemming from an alleged fight with a female friend early New Year’s Day. A trial is scheduled for Oct. 11.
