Gaffney's 2026 NFL Mock Draft 2.0
- Jack Gaffney
- 1 day ago
- 16 min read
Now that the main frenzy of free agency this year has seemingly come to a close now feels like the perfect time to get in our second of three Mock Drafts before we get to the real thing at the end of April. Let's dive in!!!
Pick 1) Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza, QB (Indiana)
Top Team Needs: Quarterback, Wide Receiver, Cornerback
Notable Pickups: Tyler Linderbaum (IOL), Nakobe Dean (LB), Kwity Paye (EDGE), Jalen Nailor (WR)
Notable Departures: Kenny Pickett (QB), Geno Smith (QB), Future Business Dealings with Eric DeCosta
Raiders fans may as well get those Mendoza jerseys early at this point. Not much else to add to what's inevitable, but I would've absolutely been interested to see what the Raiders would've done if they had two top 15 picks. Nevertheless, Eric DeCosta is a gutless coward.
Pick 2) New York Jets - Arvell Reese, EDGE/LB (Ohio State)
Top Team Needs: Quarterback, EDGE, IOL
Notable Pickups: Joseph Ossai (EDGE), Demario Davis (LB), T'Vondre Sweat (IDL), Geno Smith (QB)
Notable Departures: Jermaine Johnson (EDGE), Alijah Vera-Tucker (IOL), John Simpson (IOL), Micheal Clemons (EDGE), Quincy Williams (LB), Nick Folk (K), Justin Fields (QB)
Even with a pretty active offseason so far, the Jets are still realistically in a spot where nearly everything should be on the table still. By all accounts, it sounds like the Jets and Breece Hall are interested in moving forward with each other, so instead of Jeremiyah Love here, we go to Arvell Reese, who would be a true tweener if the Jets are switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4. Very concerned with him calling the Jets "a serious organization" with over half a century of evidence that would lead you to the exact opposite conclusion, but he's a hell of a player with freaky closing speed at his disposal. Definitely like the idea of him working under Demario Davis in the twilight of his career.
Pick 3) Arizona Cardinals - Rueben Bain, EDGE (The U)
Top Team Needs: Quarterback, EDGE, Right Tackle
Notable Pickups: Issac Seumalo (IOL), Tyler Allgeier (RB), Kendrick Bourne (WR), Andrew Wingard (SAF)
Notable Departures: Kyler Murray (QB), Jalen Thompson (SAF), Dalvin Tomlinson (IDL), Jonah Williams (OT), Calais Campbell (IDL)
Arizona has made some under-the-radar, solid moves with the additions of Seumalo, Allgeier, and Bourne, but like the Jets, they are absolutely better served holding off on getting "the guy" at QB until next year. Don't overthink it, get Rueben Bain to play multiple spots on a defensive front that already has Josh Sweat and Walter Nolen. Arm length be dammed, you don't find guys with this kind of motor every year, and his floor as a run defender is extraordinarily high right out of the gate.
Pick 4) Tennessee Titans - Jeremiyah Love, RB (Notre Dame)
Top Team Needs: EDGE, TE, RB
Notable Pickups: Wan'Dale Robinson (WR), John Franklin-Myers (IDL), Alontae Taylor (CB), Cordale Flott (CB), Jermaine Johnson (EDGE)
Notable Departures: T'Vondre Sweat (IDL), Arden Key (EDGE), Sebastian Joseph-Day (IDL)
Love to Tennessee is picking up some real steam, and given what they've done so far to address defensive deficiencies, the lane is certainly open for them. He might not be a better runner than Ashton Jeanty, but he's unequivocally the most dynamic back to enter the league since Bijan Robinson. He has a background at WR, and there's absolutely a scenario where he will be used like Sean McVay used Todd Gurley before he fell off the cliff.
Pick 5) New York Giants - Sonny Styles, LB (Ohio State)
Top Team Needs: LB, CB, IOL
Notable Pickups: Isaiah Likely (TE), Tremaine Edmunds (LB), Pat Ricard (FB), Darnell Mooney (WR), Jordan Stout (P), Greg Newsome (CB)
Notable Departures: Wan'Dale Robinson (WR), Cordale Flott (CB), Bobby Okereke (LB), Russell Wilson (QB)
I think there's some (keyword) validity to the idea that the Giants would go Jeremiyah Love if the Titans pass on him, but with him unavailable, it'd be hard to pass up on Sonny Styles, who's not even a month removed from one of the all-time great combine performances ever. Linebackers don't typically go this high anymore, but Styles isn't your average LB prospect with his size and downright freaky coverage range and ability to patrol sideline to sideline.
Pick 6) Cleveland Browns - Carnell Tate, WR (Ohio State)
Top Team Needs: QB, WR, OT
Notable Pickups: Zion Johnson (IOL), Elgton Jenkins (IOL), Quincy Williams (LB), Tytus Howard (OT)
Notable Departures: Their Entire Starting OL from 2025, David Njoku (TE), Devin Bush (LB), Shelby Harris (IDL)
The Browns have surprisingly done a decent enough job reshuffling their offensive line, and in light of that, can definitely justify taking a pass catcher of the caliber of Carnell Tate here. I've been bouncing back and forth on the order of the top three WRs in this class (Tate, Tyson, and Lemon), and of those three, Tate is the safest bet to go first, given that Lemon is almost certainly a slot (who'll eventually play everywhere), and because of Tyson's extensive injury history. Hard to bet against an Ohio State receiver in general, but especially with his ball skills, catch radius, and three-level ability. He'd be an instant impact guy for that Browns offense.
Pick 7) Washington Commanders - Caleb Downs, SAF (Ohio State)
Top Team Needs: SAF, WR, Center
Notable Pickups: Odafe Oweh (EDGE), Leo Chenal (LB), K'Lavon Chaisson (EDGE), Nick Cross (SAF), Chig Okonkwo (TE), Amik Robertson (CB), Tim Settle (IDL)
Notable Departures: Tyler Biadasz (IOL), Bobby Wagner (LB), Von Miller (EDGE), Jonathan Jones (CB), Deebo Samuel (WR), Zach Ertz (TE)
The Commanders had some money to burn, and boy did they ever to fix up what was one of the worst and oldest defenses in the NFL. I don't think they're done, though. Go and get Caleb Downs to pair with Nick Cross, and then I think the Commanders more or less have their new core group of guys on that side of the ball. Here's to hoping one of these teams before the Chiefs saves us from the nightmare scenario of them getting the best player in this draft.
Pick 8) New Orleans Saints - David Bailey, EDGE (Texas Tech)
Top Team Needs: EDGE, WR, IDL
Notable Pickups: David Edwards (IOL), Travis Etienne (RB), Kaden Elliss (LB),
Notable Departures: Demario Davis (LB), Alontae Taylor (CB), Cam Jordan (EDGE)
New Orleans almost certainly has to find their Cam Jordan replacement here, and luckily for them, they have some good options here, starting with David Bailey. Run defense is certainly a concern (and there are alleged character concerns as well), but there weren't a ton of guys better at getting to the QB in CFB last year, even as a bit of a linear athlete.
Pick 9) Kansas City Chiefs - Mansoor Delane, CB (LSU)
Top Team Needs: CB, LB, SAF
Notable Pickups: Kenneth Walker (RB), Alohi Gilman (SAF), Khyiris Tonga (IDL), Kader Kohou (CB)
Notable Departures: Trent McDuffie (CB), Jawaan Taylor (RT), Jaylen Watson (CB), Bryan Cook (SAF), Leo Chenal (LB), "The 'Shew" (QB)
The good news is the Chiefs miss out on all three of Love, Styles, and Downs in this mock. The bad news? They get the best corner in this draft (by a healthy margin) at the tail end of the first 10 picks. Not a ton of real holes in Mansoor Delane's game to pick it. Even with a shorter wingspan, he's the kind of guy who plays outside of his frame and can be an impact guy at the catch point; never mind the fact that he's an elite cover guy as it is—excited to see where he ends up in 4/5 years when the Chiefs inevitably move on instead of paying him.
Pick 10) Cincinnati Bengals - Francis Mauigoa, OT/IOL (The U)
Top Team Needs: Defense
Notable Pickups: Boye Mafe (EDGE), Bryan Cook (SAF), Jonathan Allen (IDL)
Notable Departures: Trey Hendrickson (EDGE), Joseph Ossai (EDGE), Noah Fant (TE), Geno Stone (SAF), Cam Taylor-Britt (CB)
Quite the short end of the stick here for the Bengals with all the elite defenders coming off the board, and now in a position where their OL is in a surprisingly good spot. I will note this, however: Dalton Risner, who was big for Cincy at right guard last year and was extended, was only done so for one year and is currently 30. Especially with no OL taken to this point, I would like the process behind taking Francis Mauigoa, a natural right tackle who may kick inside in the pros, to set yourselves up at the guard spots for the long haul with him and Dylan Fairchild.
Pick 11) Miami Dolphins - Monroe Freeling, OT (Georgia)
Top Team Needs: WR, OL, CB
Notable Pickups: Malik Willis (QB)
Notable Departures: Jaylen Waddle (WR), Tyreek Hill (WR), Tua Tagovailoa (QB), Bradley Chubb (EDGE), Alec Ingold (FB)
I had Jordyn Tyson penciled in here until I remembered that new GM John Eric-Sullivan is a Packers guy, which naturally slims the chances of that happening (to me, anyway) based on historical precedent. He might be going to right tackle here, but Monroe Freeling is someone who's shot up boards, significantly so, since his huge combine outing, and Packers guys typically like themselves some high RAS guys; Freeling put up a 9.99/10.00. Would certainly be an upgrade over Austin Jackson for the long haul at 6'7" and 315 lbs.
Pick 12) Dallas Cowboys - Peter Woods, IDL (Clemson)
Top Team Needs: Defense
Notable Pickups: Jalen Thompson (SAF), P.J. Locke (SAF)
Notable Departures: Osa Odighizuwa (IDL), Solomon Thomas (IDL)
For whatever reason, Jerry Jones decided to trade Osa Odighizuwa to a historical rival around a full calendar year after giving him an extension, for which he gave the Cowboys a discount. He really is doing just about anything at this point. In any case, Dallas has a ton of needs defensively still, and while this would be a slight reach for me, I believe in the floor of what Peter Woods is right now, and what he very well may grow into down the road. Would be a fun guy to pair with Quienen Williams.
Pick 13) Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons) - Makai Lemon, WR (USC)
Top Team Needs: WR, LB, QB
Notable Pickups: Trent McDuffie (CB), Jaylen Watson (CB)
Notable Departures: Cobie Durant (CB), TuTu Atwell (WR)
No change from Mock 1.0 on the Rams front; Lemon makes the most sense for them at receiver, starting in the slot before realistically growing into a majority outside role once Davante Adams' time in LA comes to a close.
Pick 14) Baltimore Ravens - Jordyn Tyson, WR (Arizona St.)
Top Team Needs: EDGE, TE, WR, League-Wide Respect for the GM
Notable Pickups: Trey Hendrickson (EDGE), John Simpson (IOL), Jaylinn Hawkins (SAF)
Notable Departures: Tyler Linderbaum (IOL), Isaiah Likely (TE), Dre'Mont Jones (EDGE), Alohi Gilman (SAF), Charlie Kolar (TE)
There's going to be a book about March 2026 for the Baltimore Ravens/Las Vegas Raiders one day, and I, for one, look forward to that. Don't know how Ravens fans would feel about another R1 wideout this decade, especially given the injury history Tyson has. Still, Eric DeCosta has made some gambles on guys with less than spectacular medicals in the past, and if this were to work out, Tyson has every chance to be a top pass catcher in this league. Elite separator and ball tracking skills; it all just depends on the medicals at this point.
Pick 15) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Keldric Faulk, EDGE (Auburn)
Top Team Needs: EDGE, LB, CB
Notable Pickups: Alex Anzalone (LB), Kenneth Gainwell (RB), A'Shawn Robinson (IDL), Al-Quadin Muhammad (EDGE)
Notable Departures: Mike Evans (WR), Jamel Dean (CB), Rachaad White (RB)
Admittedly, I'm not a leader in the clubhouse for Keldric Faulk, but we've seen plenty of cases of bigger, athletic guys who are "project" adjacent go high in drafts of yesteryear. Faulk's also a weird case in that he was tasked with playing a lot of 4 and 3 tech at Auburn rather than really out on the EDGE, but he's only 20 years old still, and his run defense floor is probably on par with Rueben Bain and even Peter Woods. It would make sense given they should (in theory) be liberal with how they use Al-Quadin Muhammad as well, and Faulk absolutely has play as an early down guy on day one.
Pick 16) New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts) - Jermod McCoy, CB (Tennessee)
Fittingly with the pick they got for Sauce Gardner, the Jets get themselves a new CB for the future in Jermod McCoy. His pro day at the end of the month is going to be gigantic after missing all of 2025 thanks to an ACL tear, but he was dynamite in 2024 and has a great size profile, much like Gardner did coming out of Cincinnati in 2022. If he looks good on the 31st, watch out.
Pick 17) Detroit Lions - Spencer Fano, OT/IOL (Utah)
Top Team Needs: OT, EDGE, CB
Notable Pickups: Cade Mays (IOL), D.J. Wonnum (EDGE)
Notable Departures: Taylor Decker (OT), Al-Quadin Muhammad (EDGE), Alex Anzalone (LB), Amik Robertson (CB)
The Taylor Decker news now makes it feel like the Lions are locked into a tackle pick here at 17, since I can't imagine they plan to start Larry Borom on either side of the line with Penei Sewell. Spencer Fano is my best available lineman at this juncture, and even with some arm size/wingspan concerns, he had a great combine when it came time to show up in drills and testing. Ideally, he'd stick at right tackle with Penei Sewell switching over, which may be happening regardless.
Pick 18) Minnesota Vikings - Dillon Theineman, SAF (Oregon)
Top Team Needs: SAF, IDL, CB
Notable Pickups: Kyler Murray (QB), James Pierre (CB)
Notable Departures: Harrison Smith (SAF), CJ Ham (FB), Jalen Nailor (WR), Javon Hargrave (IDL), Jonathan Allen (IDL)
After the combine, I think it's fair to say Dillon Theineman will be the second safety off the board after Caleb Downs, and it'd be hard to second-guess that. He's an elite athlete with a lot of usage potential, from the box to center field. Brian Flores would love a guy like this in an offseason where Harrison Smith officially retired.
Pick 19) Carolina Panthers - Kenyon Sadiq, TE (Oregon)
Top Team Needs: TE, WR, LB
Notable Pickups: Jaelan Phillips (EDGE), Devin Lloyd (LB), Rasheed Walker (OT), Luke Fortner (IOL)
Notable Departures: Cade Mays (IOL), Rico Dowdle (RB), A'Shawn Robinson (IDL), D.J. Wonnum (EDGE)
Regardless of whatever you think about the money they spent to do it, the Panthers certainly made some notable upgrades in the defensive front seven, which makes this selection at 19 very interesting. They didn't get much at all out of their tight ends, and if the logic here is to go "best player available," Kenyon Sadiq definitely has some say in that argument. I can't imagine teams would be looking forward to having to deal with he and Tet McMillian down inside the 20, and despite being a bit undersized, his blocking would be a plus.
Pick 20) Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers) - Colton Hood, CB (Tennessee)
Anything the Cowboys can do to help out their secondary further this offseason, to parlay off of their couple of good additions at safety, would be a nice use of their extra first. Colton Hood, another guy you could say crushed the combine, is as good and fluid a mover as you could hope for at the CB position, and while he may need to tone down his aggressiveness up against wideouts, I wouldn't call that a bad problem to have as opposed to what the opposite end of the spectrum is. No agility testing for him at the combine, but otherwise, he profiled out pretty similar to Stephon Gilmore. Not exactly a comp, but worth noting given Hood's proficiency in man.
Pick 21) Pittsburgh Steelers - Vega Ioane, IOL (Penn State)
Top Team Needs: QB, IOL, EDGE
Notable Pickups: Jamel Dean (CB), Michael Pittman (WR), Rico Dowdle (RB), Jaquan Brisker (SAF)
Notable Departures: Issac Seumalo (IOL), Kenneth Gainwell (RB), James Pierre (CB), Aaron Rodgers (???)
In what's been an excellent offseason for Pittsburgh, taking Vega Ioane at 21 would be as good a move as any in light of losing Issac Seumalo to the Cardinals. You're talking about an athletic mauler who could absolutely go higher than this, depending on how the board shakes out. He has some smaller arms, even judging off of just guards, but his tape tells the story; this is a tremendous guard prospect who'd make any line better on day one.
Pick 22) Los Angeles Chargers - Kadyn Proctor, OT (Alabama)
Top Team Needs: IOL, EDGE, CB
Notable Pickups: Tyler Biadasz (IOL), Charlie Kolar (TE), Alec Ingold (FB), Dalvin Tomlinson (IDL)
Notable Departures: Odafe Oweh (EDGE), Zion Johnson (IOL), Ben St. Juste (CB), Mekhi Becton (IOL), Najee Harris (RB)
Doesn't take a rocket scientist to say the Chargers still have some work to do with their interior offensive line. Despite his stature, Kadyn Proctor projects as a guard in the pros, and whether he's lined up inside Rashawn Slater or Joe Alt, have fun dealing with that duo on run downs, especially when Alec Ingold is in.
Pick 23) Philadelphia Eagles - Akheem Mesidor, EDGE (The U)
Top Team Needs: EDGE, WR, SAF
Notable Pickups: Riq Woolen (CB), Hollywood Brown (WR), Jonathan Jones (CB), Arnold Ebiketie (EDGE)
Notable Departures: Jaelan Phillips (EDGE), Nakobe Dean (LB), Reed Blankenship (SAF), A.J. Brown (???)
Feels inevitable that the Eagles will be without A.J. Brown barring something last-minute (depends on when a deal happens), but he's still there for the time being, and it honestly wouldn't be stunning if Howie Roseman goes defense anyway. Akheem Mesidor is a bit on the older side as a sixth-year senior, but he came on very strong in 2025 with a 12.5 sack year for the Hurricanes and has an excellent motor on him. Could be a nice addition to a group that already has Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt.
Pick 24) Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars) - Blake Miller, OT (Clemson)
The board shakes out well for Cleveland in that they do get a left tackle for the future in Blake Miller. Primarily a right tackle in his time at Clemson, he does have enough run time on the left side of the line that a move wouldn't concern me much, and he checks a ton of boxes physically at nearly 6'7" and just shy of 320 lbs.
Pick 25) Chicago Bears - Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, SAF (Toledo)
Top Team Needs: IDL, EDGE, SAF
Notable Pickups: Coby Bryant (SAF), Neville Gallimore (IDL)
Notable Departures: Tremaine Edmunds (LB), Kevin Byard (SAF), Jaquan Brisker (SAF), Nashon Wright (CB), D.J. Moore (WR), Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (SAF)
Even with the (excellent) addition of Coby Bryant, Chicago lost a ton at safety this offseason, and adding Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, who they did meet with early on during Combine Week, makes a great deal of sense. His speed metrics don't worry me a ton (4.52 40), and he's a physical tone setter at 6'3" 201 lbs—day 1 plug-and-play replacement for CGJ down in the box.
Pick 26) Buffalo Bills - Cashius Howell, EDGE (Texas A&M)
Top Team Needs: IDL, LB, EDGE
Notable Pickups: D.J. Moore (WR), Bradley Chubb (EDGE), Dee Alford (CB), Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (SAF), Geno Stone (SAF)
Notable Departures: David Edwards (IOL), Reggie Gilliam (FB), A.J. Epenesa (EDGE), Joey Bosa (EDGE), Matt Milano (LB)
Expect the Bills to trade out of this pick thanks to the D.J. Moore trade, but Brandon Beane can always surprise us...for better or worse. If they stick, Cashius Howell is certainly worth a flyer. The arms are what they are, and he was a bit underwhelming in his explosiveness testing (vert and broad jumps), but he's got elite speed and bend ability that's hard to ignore. I can't imagine Buffalo is banking on anything spectacular out of Bradley Chubb this year, and Howell certainly couldn't hurt as a No. 3 pass rusher behind him and Greg Rousseau. A linebacker also wouldn't stun me here if they like someone enough (Jacob Rodriguez or CJ Allen)
Pick 27) San Francisco 49ers - Chase Bisontis, IOL (Texas A&M)
Top Team Needs: IOL, IDL, EDGE
Notable Pickups: Mike Evans (WR), Osa Odighizuwa (IDL), Christian Kirk (WR), Dre Greenlaw (LB)
Notable Departures: Brandon Aiyuk (WR), Juaun Jennings (WR), Kendrick Bourne (WR), Jordan Elliott (IDL)
Given what they paid him, I can't imagine Brett Toth is going to be anything more than a backup IOL option for San Fran this year, leaving them with a spot to fill at left guard. Chase Bisontis looked pretty damn impressive in testing and in drills at the combine, and was an elite pass-blocking left guard for the Aggies en route to Third-Team All-SEC honors in 2025. If Caleb Banks didn't break his foot at the combine, he would've been a fun pick here, but the 49ers would be smart to play it safe up front on the other side of the ball.
Pick 28) Houston Texans - Emmanuel Pregnon, IOL (Oregon)
Top Team Needs: IDL, LB, IOL
Notable Pickups: Reed Blankenship (SAF), Braden Smith (OT), Wyatt Teller (IOL)
Notable Departures: Tytus Howard (OT), Jimmie Ward (SAF), Denico Autry (EDGE), Tim Settle (IDL), Christian Harris (LB)
Hard to say whether Wyatt Teller will be long for Houston beyond 2026 at left guard, and if so, Nick Caserio being proactive by drafting a guy like Pregnon would be pretty smart. Another sixth-year senior case like Akheem Mesidor, but he's an excellent athlete with an elite wingspan for a guard (94th percentile) and was a First-Team All-American in 2025 for the Ducks. He's also on a pretty short, but star-studded list of guard prospects with 30-plus bench reps with a wingspan north of the 88th percentile; a list that includes Teller, who he'd be replacing long term here.
Pick 29) Kansas City Chiefs (via Los Angeles Rams) - Denzel Boston, WR (Washington)
Rashee Rice clearly isn't long for KC or the NFL for much longer, but beyond that, I do like the idea of the Chiefs giving Patrick Mahomes a big-body target on the outside to work with, given the couple of speedsters they also employ in the form of Tyquan Thornton and Xavier Worthy. Denzel Boston would fit that bill. His hands are as good as gold as much as his catch radius and ball tracking skills are, and his willingness to get his nose dirty as a blocker would win over most coaches pretty quickly.
Pick 30) Miami Dolphins (via Denver Broncos) - Omar Cooper Jr., WR (Indiana)
Even if it's in the second round, it would be pretty tough for the Dolphins not to at least get one fresh pass catcher for Malik Willis to play with, and Omar Cooper Jr, who's phenomenal as a route technician and YAC guy, would fit that bill.
Pick 31) New England Patriots - Chris Brazzell, WR (Tennessee)
Top Team Needs: EDGE, WR, RT
Notable Pickups: Romeo Doubs (WR), Alijah Vera-Tucker (IOL), Dre'Mont Jones (EDGE/IDL), Reggie Gilliam (FB), Kevin Byard (SAF)
Notable Departures: Khyiris Tonga (IDL), K'Lavon Chaisson (EDGE), Jaylinn Hawkins (SAF), Stefon Diggs (WR)
I think most of America expects A.J. Brown to land in New England at some point, but until that happens, we're operating as if things have fallen through. KC Concepcion is a pretty popular wideout prospect, but his drop issues would seriously concern me about him going R1, and I'd like Chris Brazzell (or even Germie Bernard) as a more logical fit in this scenario. Beyond any concerns about Tennessee's offense being an affront to God and how that could affect his stock, he's a legit 6'4" burner on the outside with separation ability and a gigantic wingspan. If the Patriots lose interest in a deal for Brown, Brazzell is exactly what the Patriots need as a long-term X receiver prospect.
Pick 32) Seattle Seahawks - Avieon Terrell, CB (Clemson)
Top Team Needs: CB, RB, IOL
Notable Pickups: N/A
Notable Departures: Boye Mafe (EDGE), Kenneth Walker (RB), Coby Bryant (SAF), Riq Woolen (CB)
Some big holes to fill up for the Super Bowl champs and even some pre-existing ones (IOL), but Avieon Terrell at 32 feels like a no-brainer. Undersized, yes, but his compete level would fit right into an absolutely tremendous defensive unit out in Seattle. Bet on his willingness to win more than anything, but Terrell is a really good corner, anyhow.
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