Having a good starting roster is integral to winning games in the NFL. Depth is almost as important, though, because any top player can get hurt at any moment and miss an extended stretch.

That was exactly the case for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when starting right tackle Luke Goedeke missed Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers.

With Goedeke out and right guard Cody Mauch struggling, there was some worry that the right side of the Buccaneers offensive line would have issues against a pretty decent Panthers front. That turned out not to be the case, and the big reason is second-year tackle Benjamin Chukwuma’s performance in place of Goedeke.

“I thought Chukwuma did a great job,” Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles told reporters Monday. “I mean, you know, 258 yards rushing, all those guys up front did an outstanding job. ‘Chuk’ with his first start this year coming in did an outstanding job. He’s got great size, he’s an athlete, he’s very strong, so the run game kind of benefits him.”

Chukwuma has been a bright spot for Tampa Bay’s depth

Chukwuma has been one of the biggest bright spots in the Buccaneers’ depth chart over the last couple of years. Remember, he’s only in his second season out of Georgia State, and he entered the league as an undrafted free agent. He still has plenty of potential, and Tampa Bay has slowly developed him into what the team believes can be a full-time starter down the road.

Bowles confirmed as much Monday. When asked, he said he believes Chukwuma has a real chance to become a full-time starter in this league. That’s huge for the Bucs.

A reliable swing tackle can help Tampa Bay get out of situations like Sunday’s, and Chukwuma could be needed again soon. It’s unknown whether Goedeke will play in this week’s matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, so the Buccaneers might lean on their backup once again. After what he showed against Carolina, that shouldn’t cause much panic.

The big picture matters even more

The real value here goes beyond one game. Fingers crossed it never happens, but say something takes Goedeke or Tristan Wirfs out of the picture down the road. Chukwuma could help fill that void by replacing one of them. We are talking big-picture here and don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves, but it’s certainly worth the thought.

He’ll also likely be on a much cheaper contract than either of those guys. That’s great for roster construction from a salary cap and front office standpoint, because it frees up resources for other positions while still keeping a capable body on the edge of the line. Teams that win consistently find starter-caliber players on cheap deals, and the Bucs might have one in their back pocket.

Jason Licht’s eye for small school talent is still paying off, especially on the offensive line. Chukwuma is yet another success story in that department. An undrafted lineman from Georgia State stepping in midgame and helping pave the way for 258 rushing yards is the kind of development that makes a front office look smart.

With Chukwuma in the rotation, it’s clear Tampa Bay has a capable backup who can help not only this past Sunday but also down the road if more injuries hit Wirfs or Goedeke. Now it’s about the Buccaneers continuing to develop him, because he may be closer to a starting job than anyone expected.