Can this ever work in town's favor?

[TehBrawlGuy]

Similar strategies are often used in Open/Semi-open setups where there is a known role like Hider. Mastina's analysis of the drawbacks is spot on, but in games with more known roles/setup that strategy can potentially be very strong, especially if you limit it down to one role. e.g. if you have a set-up that definitely has a Cop, having each player claim who they'd be copping each night if they were the Cop is potentially valuable. Of course, this does still allow the mafia to narrow it down, as if you claim you'd be copping them and then don't claim a guilty the next day, you probably are not the Cop.