I don't want to sound naive, but I think GMs & HCs have too much pride. Also you tank and the HC or GM or both could be out of a job to me that is the differentiator which keeps teams from tanking.
Clearly the owners dont care they will always be there and that is why I could see tanking on their part or at least not complaining when their team is losing.
Also what is the definition of "generational talent" is it Patrick Mahomes well he wasn't picked first not even close. How about Lawrence supposed generational talent but look at his body of work not great. Look at AD vs Greg Robinson or Jason Smith you never know.
Very hard to define generational talent due to quality of competition in college -team to team and player to player. Players can look better than their upcoming NFL results because of crappy players or teams across from at the NCAA level that beefs up their stats. That is why 50% of 1st rounders are busts see the Raiders 3 first rounders several years ago Mayocks first draft all are busts.
Lastly there is a lottery in Basketball and Hockey because the amount of games they play there is so many it becomes apparent who the bottom tier teams are. Football there isn't enough games there maybe a technical worst team but it is by a hair and yes probably that team say the Texans could tank those last games to ensure the #1 pick if they had it but not sure they would imo for the reasons stated above.
