8:23pm: Wilson’s deal is worth $4.85MM, per Salguero (Twitter link).
6:59pm: The Chargers have signed free agent defensive back Jimmy Wilson to a two-year contract, the team announced (via Twitter). Financial terms of the deal have not yet been reported.
Wilson, 28, spent the first four years of his career in Miami. As recently as Wednesday, the Dolphins were in talks with Wilson’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, in hopes of retaining him, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald tweeted.
Wilson appeared in 60 games as a Dolphin and intercepted four passes. He totaled just eight starts during his first three seasons before amassing a career-high 13 in 2014. Eight of those starts came at cornerback, while the other five were from the safety position. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) wasn’t impressed with Wilson’s work as a corner last year, ranking him 94th out of 108 qualifiers. However, the site rated him a far better 34th out of 87 safeties.
Wilson will add depth and versatility to a Chargers defense that finished fourth against the pass in 2014. However, San Diego has already lost safety Marcus Gilchrist to free agency this year and could also see cornerback Shareece Wright depart.