If you’re an NFL fan, especially one who’s following the NFL Draft closely, you’ve probably heard the term NFL Tankathon being thrown around. The NFL Tankathon is something that gets a lot of attention, especially as the season progresses and teams with losing records start thinking about their future. In this post, we’ll break down what the NFL Tankathon is, how it works, and why it plays such an important role in shaping the future of the league.
What is the NFL Tankathon?
The term NFL Tankathon refers to a situation where teams purposely perform poorly during the regular season with the goal of securing a higher draft pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. The higher a team picks in the draft, the more likely they are to land a top player who can make an immediate impact on the roster. In other words, some teams may “tank” (intentionally lose games) to improve their chances of selecting a star player and set themselves up for future success.
In the NFL, the draft order is determined by the teams’ performance in the regular season. The worse a team does, the higher their position in the draft order. Teams who are struggling typically aim to grab one of the top draft picks, as this increases their chances of landing a franchise-altering player—particularly a quarterback, who can lead the team for many years.
While tanking is frowned upon by fans and critics, it’s a strategy that some teams believe gives them the best chance to rebuild quickly and return to competitive play.
How Does the NFL Tankathon Impact the Draft?
The NFL Tankathon has a direct impact on the NFL Draft order. Here’s a look at how it works:
Draft Order Based on Records
The NFL Draft order is primarily based on how each team performs during the regular season. The worse a team performs, the better their chances of picking earlier in the draft. The team with the worst record picks first, followed by the second-worst team, and so on. This system is designed to help struggling teams by giving them the opportunity to select the best available players to turn their franchises around.
However, things get a little more complicated with ties. If two teams finish with the same record, the draft order is decided by strength of schedule (the combined win-loss record of their opponents). If two teams have the same record and strength of schedule, the order is determined by a coin flip.
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Tanking and Quarterbacks
Quarterbacks are the most coveted positions in the draft, especially when a team is in need of a long-term leader. NFL Tankathon often becomes a talking point during seasons when top quarterbacks are available in the draft class. Teams with a shaky quarterback situation may be more inclined to lose games in hopes of getting one of these game-changing players.
This strategy isn’t new, and some teams have openly embraced it in the past. The 2012 Indianapolis Colts, who were coming off a season without Peyton Manning, infamously tanked to secure the first overall pick in the draft and selected Andrew Luck, a quarterback who was considered a once-in-a-generation talent.
The Role of Trades
Teams can also influence their position in the draft order by making trades. NFL Tankathon often involves teams trading away veteran players for draft picks, particularly when they realize they are out of playoff contention. This can lead to teams losing more games but gaining additional future assets to rebuild their team.
Traded draft picks can change the landscape of the draft order, as teams may give up higher picks to acquire players they believe can contribute immediately. However, these moves also mean that the tanking team might end up with a more favorable pick in future drafts, which could ultimately give them a stronger foundation for rebuilding.
NFL Tankathon: How It Affects the Playoff Picture
While some teams embrace tanking for the sake of the draft position, others simply don’t have the roster to compete at a high level, which results in low win totals. This means that some of the teams that might be the most active in the NFL Tankathon discussion won’t make the playoffs, but others might still be in the playoff picture.
The Tank-and-Playoff Shuffle
There are cases where a team’s poor performance in the regular season might allow them to keep their draft pick while still competing for a playoff spot. These teams will have the motivation to win a few games late in the season in order to get into the playoffs while still securing a top draft pick.
It’s important to understand that NFL Tankathon doesn’t always guarantee a team’s future success. While tanking can improve a team’s position in the draft, it doesn’t automatically lead to championships or long-term greatness. Teams need to build a successful organization from the top down, not just rely on draft picks alone.
The Impact on Fan Engagement
Tanking can have a mixed impact on fan engagement. Some fans love the idea of getting a top draft pick and see it as the first step toward building a championship-caliber team. However, other fans may feel frustrated watching their team intentionally lose games, especially if it leads to a lost season with no playoffs in sight.
The NFL Tankathon can turn into a point of contention between fans who believe in rebuilding through the draft and fans who prefer teams to put forth their best effort every week. It can be hard to watch a team actively tank, knowing that it’s setting up for the future rather than fighting for immediate success.
Teams Who Have Engaged in the NFL Tankathon
While tanking is not something most NFL teams openly admit to, several teams in recent years have embraced the strategy of the NFL Tankathon to varying degrees.
The Miami Dolphins (2019)
Perhaps one of the most famous recent examples of tanking came in 2019 when the Miami Dolphins were accused of trying to tank for a higher draft pick. The team was in a full-scale rebuild, and many experts predicted that Miami would be among the worst teams in the league.
Head coach Brian Flores, however, led a team that ended up finishing the season with a surprising 5-11 record, not good enough to get a top draft pick but good enough to potentially derail the Dolphins’ tanking plans. Miami eventually selected quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, signaling the start of their rebuild.
The Jacksonville Jaguars (2020-2021)
The Jacksonville Jaguars went into full tank mode in 2020, focusing on landing the number one overall pick in the 2021 draft. Their efforts were successful, and they selected quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who was highly regarded as the best quarterback prospect in years. The Jaguars hoped that Lawrence would be the franchise quarterback they desperately needed to turn the team around.
The Chicago Bears (2021)
The Bears had a rough season in 2021, leading to the firing of head coach Matt Nagy. During the season, Chicago’s decision-making appeared to support the idea of tanking, especially as they traded away key players and lost several games in a row. By doing so, they were hoping to improve their draft position for a quarterback to replace their struggling starter.
Is the NFL Tankathon Effective?
There’s no easy answer to this. While NFL Tankathon may give teams a better shot at securing a high draft pick, it doesn’t always guarantee success. Teams like the Cleveland Browns, who tanked for years and built a young core, eventually became competitive but had to hit on many of their draft picks to achieve success. A team that tanks must have a solid long-term strategy, and it must draft well to make the process worth it.
Tanking is a high-risk strategy, as it often takes years to turn around a franchise even if you get the first overall pick. A few bad decisions can send a team right back to the bottom of the standings.
The Ethics of Tanking in the NFL
There’s always an ethical debate surrounding the idea of tanking. Some argue that teams should always play to win, regardless of their draft position. After all, players and coaches are professionals who should aim to give their best effort every week. On the other hand, proponents of tanking argue that it’s a legitimate strategy in a league where long-term success often requires a complete rebuild and high draft picks.
Conclusion: Understanding NFL Tankathon
The NFL Tankathon is a part of the league’s culture, one that many fans talk about each season as teams start falling out of playoff contention. While the strategy may be controversial, it’s a way for teams to put themselves in a better position to build a strong, competitive roster for the future.
By strategically losing games, teams hope to position themselves for a top pick in the NFL Draft, giving them the chance to select a game-changing player who can reshape their franchise. Whether or not this strategy is ethical or effective is still a topic of discussion, but it’s clear that the NFL Tankathon plays a major role in how National Football League teams plan for the future.
If your team is at the bottom of the standings, you might just be watching the NFL Tankathon unfold before your eyes. Whether you love or hate it, it’s a strategy that has become a significant part of the NFL’s annual process.
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