Cesar Tordesillas

The Miami Dolphins have signed ex-Atlanta Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes to a one-year contract worth $5.5 million.

Grimes, one of the top free agents left on the market until the deal, said he picked Miami because it is building something great and that he would love to be a part of it.

Furthermore, he noted that the Dolphins showed a lot of interest in landing him.

"That played a major role in me deciding to come to Miami," Grimes admitted.

He will help fill the void left by the departure of cornerback Sean Smith, who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The 29-year old Grimes made more than $10 million last season with the Falcons but played in just one game because of an Achilles injury suffered in the opener.

"I am not going to do timeframes. I just know the surgeon (said) six to eight months or something like that, but I feel great," Grimes said about his injury. "Like I said, I don't have any restrictions right now. I am running and everything. It's just building up your strength and everything. That's part of the process, but I have plenty of time."

Grimes was undrafted out of Shippensburg, made the Pro Bowl in 2010 and has registered 13 interceptions over six seasons.

The Dolphins have also landed wide receiver Mike Wallace, tight end Dustin Keller, linebackers Dannell Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler and receiver Brandon Gibson.

Miami Dolphins Sign Cornerback Brent Grimes - NFL 2013