Five College Players to Secure High Rookie Draft Picks For

Tanking.

For some, it is an impossible approach to fathom. You spend your time manicuring the edges of your roster, identifying the man to assume the fortieth spot on your roster, and you are punting an entire season or more? Pure folly.

For others, it is a tried-and-true strategy and one that can benefit a fantasy manager who gives an honest appraisal of their roster and decides it is time to part with players whose clock is ticking in favor of younger assets of picks. You sacrifice the now for the future, dreaming on a juggernaut built off of high draft picks and savvy trades that have you looking like a soothsayer.

If you are in the latter camp, you can easily be seduced by talent at the collegiate level. Each star could be the foundation of your next champion, the tonic to what ails you. Below we will highlight five worth tanking for, players currently biding their time until they become NFL stars.

These players do not necessarily need to be eligible for the 2025 draft. You can play the long game with a rebuild, prioritizing talent over early returns.

Ashton Jeanty, RB Boise State

Anyone with an even passing interest in college football has heard of Ashton Jeanty’s exploits in 2024. He has 1,248 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in only six games, averaging 9.9 yards per rush and establishing himself as a Heisman favorite. It has truly been a special campaign thus far.