The NFC South remains one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL. What are the best-case scenarios in the 2019 NFL Draft for all four teams to add to their already strong rosters?

Edge rushers. Offensive tackles. Wide receiver depth. Interior defensive lineman. The strengths of the 2019 NFL Draft seem to align quite well with the needs of all four NFC South squads. We have run through seven-round mocks of each team. But let’s take a look at what the absolute best-case scenarios would look for each team through four rounds.

Atlanta Falcons

Round 1, Pick 14: Jawaan Taylor, RT Florida

Round 2, Pick 45: Dexter Lawrence, IDL Clemson

Round 3, Pick 79: LJ Collier, EDGE TCU

Round 4, Pick 117: Jamel Dean, CB Auburn

The Atlanta Falcons did not hesitate to address their biggest need in free agency. Guards James Carpenter and Jamon Brown were added to help correct for 42 sacks of Matt Ryan in 2018. Ty Sambrailo is serviceable at right tackle but certainly not a long-term solution. That makes the top right tackle in the draft class, Jawaan Taylor, the best-case scenario for the Falcons in the first-round. Matt Ryan and Julio Jones are beginning to exit their prime, and the Falcons need to leverage their biggest strength as an explosive passing offense to the fullest.

Dexter Lawrence was previously mocked to the Falcons at pick 45, and the need at interior defensive line was also addressed with the selection of Christian Wilkins in round one. Lawrence is a first-round talent that could linger into the second-round.

Adrian Clayborn‘s 1-year deal is a band-aid to a below-average pass rush unit. The Falcons need to find another young presence on the edge to develop with Takkarist McKinley. In the secondary, Dan Quinn signals that he is ready for 2018 second-round pick Isaiah Oliver to start opposite Desmond Trufant. However, with all of the injuries in the secondary last season, the Falcons need better depth in a pass-heavy division.

Carolina Panthers

Round 1, Pick 16: Jonah Williams, LT Alabama

Round 2, Pick 47: Dexter Lawrence, IDL Clemson

Round 3, Pick 77: Christian Miller, EDGE Alabama

Round 3, Pick 100: Amani Hooker, S Iowa

Round 4, Pick 115: Jakobi Meyers, WR NC State

The Carolina Panthers have lacked a consistent offensive line since their Super Bowl run in 2015. There is currently no solution at left tackle besides moving Taylor Moton out of a right tackle spot that he excelled in last season. Additionally, Cam Newton needs blindside protection desperately as he heals from two seasons worth of shoulder damage. Jonah Williams was my first-round mock selection last week and may be the best left tackle in the draft that can also fill the open roster spot at left guard.

After this season, the Panthers could choose to move on from Dontari Poe and potentially save $10 million towards the salary cap. If the Panthers could draft a quality interior defensive lineman in this draft, it could pay extra dividends financially. As noted with the Falcons, Lawrence is a first-round caliber prospect that could fall into the middle of the second-round.

Undoubtedly, one of the biggest needs for the Panthers is youth on the edge. Mario Addison took a step back in 2018, likely due to the lack of edge rush coming from the opposite side. Christian Miller has all of the physical tools sought after for an edge rusher. He could end up on the board in the third round due to his injuries and limited playing time at Alabama.

The Panthers have an open competition at free safety. A talented mid-round safety like Amani Hooker could easily win the job outright. The Panthers also lack receiving threats behind Curtis Samuel and DJ Moore. Jakobi Meyers is one of my favorite mid-round draft sleepers as a highly-productive, position-versatile receiver that played the “big slot” role at NC State.

New Orleans Saints

Round 2, Pick 62: Michael Deiter, IOL Wisconsin

The draft won’t be exciting this year for New Orleans Saints fans, but they should be just fine with that. In fact, the bold trade-up for edge-rusher Marcus Davenport last year was great move given the Saints’ draft position this year. To keep 40-year-old Drew Brees performing at an MVP-level, the Saints need to ensure they properly protect him at all costs. Andrus Peat struggled at right guard last year. Drafting Michael Deiter would add both starting competition and depth across the offensive line.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Round 1, Pick 5: Josh Allen, EDGE/3-4 OLB Kentucky

Round 2, Pick 39: Jonathan Abrams, S Mississippi State

Round 3, Pick 70: Justin Layne, CB Michigan State

Round 4, Pick 107: David Montgomery, RB Iowa State

Daniel Rodriguez laid out why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should draft perhaps the best prospect in the draft in Josh Allen. Allen was named the fourth-best college football player of the year by Pro Football Focus for his nation-leading pass-rushing pressure percentage of 23.4%. Allen gives Todd Bowles a much-needed dynamic presence on the edge opposite Jason Pierre-Paul.

New defensive coordinator Todd Bowles loves utilizing safeties all over the football field. In fact, he spent the Jets’ first two 2017 draft picks on safeties Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye. Bowles often deployed Adams near the line of scrimmage as a threat to rush the passer. Jonathan Abrams fits this bill well as an uber-physical safety that is a threat at the LOS.

The Bucs’ pass defense was anemic last year, in part due to a season-ending injury from Vernon Hargreaves. Though Hargreaves and Carlton Davis are promising corners, the Bucs need much better depth in the secondary. And Justin Layne can compete for an immediate starting role.

Tampa has lacked a presence at running back since the tumultuous times of Doug Martin. Peyton Barber was 40th in yards-per-carry and 2018 second-round pick Ronald Jones struggled mightily in his rookie season. The Bucs should look to find their version of a Phillip Lindsey or Kareem Hunt in the middle rounds of the draft by targeting a talented back like David Montgomery.