MIAMI GARDENS — Now that the offseason program has concluded (Thursday marked the final round of organized team activities before a six-week vacation until training camp), let’s hand out some offseason awards.

You already know the candidates for my top offseason awards.

I probably should have created a special category for general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, who has finalized key contract extensions for running back De’Von Achane and All Pro center Aaron Brewer. All that remains is All Pro linebacker Jordyn Brooks, and there’s reason to believe that’ll eventually get done.

Anyway, here are the Dolphins’ offseason award winners.

Best Performer: LT Patrick Paul

Runner-up: DT Jordan Phillips

I don’t recall anyone getting past Paul, a one-man brick wall the entire offseason, including OTAs and minicamp. Granted, players weren’t in pads so physicality is practically eliminated for pass rushers. But that works both ways. Paul, the 2024 second-round pick who should get Pro Bowl acknowledgement as a second-year starter, couldn’t be physical either.

Paul utilized speed, quickness and good technique to keep quarterbacks safe from defensive ends such as Chop Robinson, David Ojabo and Josh Uche.

It’s a big year for Paul because he’s eligible for a contract extension at season’s end. If you go by Pro Football Focus rankings from last season, Paul had a 66.2 grade, which ranked 45th out of 89 offensive tackles. He was 28th in pass blocking and 63rd in run blocking. He allowed four sacks, 25 pressures and was flagged nine times.

Most Improved Player: QB Quinn Ewers

Runner-up: S Dante Trader Jr.

Ewers, the 2025 seventh-round pick who started the final three games last season, had a strong offseason. Ewers, who was 55 of 83 for 622 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions as a rookie, was confident and strong-armed in OTAs and minicamp. Ewers, who has maintained that strong connection with wide receiver Theo Wease Jr. that surfaced last year, has grown. Ewers is better than when we last saw him in January.

Nevertheless, Malik Willis is the Dolphins’ undisputed starting quarterback. We only saw part of Willis’ skill set during the offseason because he didn’t run with the ball. There is no question that Willis will be the starter entering training camp.

But Ewers appears to have the Dolphins in a better backup quarterback situation than they’ve had for a few years.

Best undrafted free agent: S Louis Moore

Runner-up: DL Rene Konga

Moore, who attended Indiana, has flashed and made his presence known at times by being disruptive. We’ve seen him get his hands on passes from time to time and be in position to make a good defensive play.

The seasoned, more high-ceiling safeties — Trader, Lonnie Johnson Jr., Zayne Anderson — get most of the snaps. But Moore has made the most of his opportunities. This could be a situation in which special teams becomes a big key to Moore’s roster spot.

Best new addition: QB Malik Willis

Runner-up: CB Chris Johnson

Here’s the best thing I can say about Willis: I think he’s made a couple of players better, namely wide receiver Malik Washington and tight end Greg Dulcich. That’s a huge accomplishment for a quarterback.

Willis, signed to a three-year, $67.5 million deal, has shown himself to be worthy of the title “starting quarterback” throughout the offseason program by his tangible actions (accurate throws, not repeating mistakes) and intangible actions (leadership, casual conversations with teammates).

Despite those kind words, keep in mind that Willis, a four-year veteran, is a first-year starter so there will be mistakes this season, and probably plenty of mistakes. 

Regardless, Willis has shown an ability to bounce back from mistakes in the offseason, and if that trend continues he might be the Dolphins’ best new addition of the regular season.

Most disappointing unit: Defensive end

Runner-up: Wide receivers

Among veterans Chop Robinson, the 2024 first-round pick, David Ojabo and Josh Uche, who had 11.5 sacks in 2022, you’d have thought there would have been more pressure on quarterbacks in the offseason.

At this point I’ll again refer to the disclaimer that players weren’t in pads so physicality gets eliminated. And, yes, Paul earned “Best Performer” honors for his work against the pass rushers, further complicating the task for the defensive ends. 

But still, the Dolphins will face offensive tackles better than Paul this season, so they’d better figure out a way to get to the quarterback both with and without pads.

And when you consider starting right tackle Austin Jackson (foot surgery) didn’t participate in 11 on 11 drills, the performance by the defensive ends is even more disheartening.

Most intriguing unit: Linebackers

Runner-up: Offensive line

Forget about the Dolphins being a base 4-3 defense with veteran middle linebacker Tyrel Dodson, veteran strongside linebacker Willie Gay Jr., and Brooks on the weakside.

The guess here is that they’ll be in either a nickel or hybrid defense for much of the time, which will allow them to utilize the athleticism and versatility of rookie linebackers Jacob Rodriguez, the second-round pick, and Trey Moore and Kyle Louis, the fourth-round picks.

The possibilities are endless, and much of training camp will be devoted to exploring everything from having Louis play as a “big nickel” and defending tight ends to having Moore, who recorded 14.0 sacks for Texas-San Antonio in 2023, rush the passer.