The Tampa Bay Buccaneers don't have an offensive line problem on paper, but one look at their depth chart makes it clear how quickly that stability could disappear. The Bucs boast multiple talented lineman on their team, but in the NFL in 2026, anything can happen. Even the deepest rosters can be knocked back in an instant. Modern day NFL rosters require depth at every position, not just the ones that make headlines.
The Bucs have big names still on their roster that can draw the attention of those who know what they're talking about. Tristan Wirfs has a reputation for being elite on the line, and he's locked in as the full time starter. On the other side, Luke Goedeke stands as the only true option at right tackle. Though many lineman have the ability to switch between slots, it's not always that simple. Having specialized players manning key positions, especially on the line is essential.
The Right Tackle Depth Problem Is Already Here
At present, ESPN does not list a second-string right tackle, but three right guards are listed. This means that a single injury to Goedeke could mean an immediate crack in the hull. Not necessarily enough to sink the ship, but they'd certainly be sailing less than 100%. Two injuries in a row, though unlikely, can happen. And two injuries in a row are definitely enough to sink the ship.
It happened in 2025. The Buccaneers didn't play a single game with their entire starting offensive line intact. Wirfs missed five games. Goedeke missed six. Starting right guard Cody Mauch played in only two games before suffering a season-ending injury, and starting left guard Ben Bredeson missed six games. Center Graham Barton was the only starter to make it through the season unscathed.
The goal here should be simple: protect Baker Mayfield. Mayfield was sacked 36 times last year, ninth most in the league. That number reflects more than just individual matchups, but it also speaks to what happens when protection breaks down across the line. Without reliable depth, those stretches of missed coverage become longer and more frequent, and subsequently, so do sacks.
One injury up front won't stay isolated. It forces adjustments, creates mismatches, and exposes the quarterback to consistent pressure. The Buccaneers don't need to rebuild their offensive line, but reinforcing it through the draft can cover up the cracks before they get there.