StickToTheModel.

Best NFL Mock Draft Simulators in 2026: 12 Tools Tested & Ranked

By | Published: December 12, 2025 | Updated: April 01, 2026 | 22 min read

Category: Tools & Strategy

Best NFL Mock Draft Simulators in 2026: 12 Tools Tested & Ranked

Last Updated: April 2026 | By StickToTheModel Summary: We tested 12 NFL mock draft simulators by running dozens of drafts on each platform. The mock draft sim space has exploded — A to Z Sports, On The Clock, Underdog, and ClevAnalytics have all entered the ring alongside established tools like PFF, ESPN, and Pro Football Network. Here's our honest, feature-by-feature breakdown of every major simulator.

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Quick Comparison: All 12 Mock Draft Simulators

| Simulator | Free? | Player Trades | Draft Grades | Custom Data | Multiplayer | Scouting Reports | Historical Drafts |

|-----------|-------|---------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|------------------|-------------------|

| StickToTheModel | Free | Yes (only one) | Per-pick + per-team | Full editor + cloud save | Realtime + Async | Yes | 5 years (2023-2027) |

| A to Z Sports | Free | No | No | No | No | No | 2026 only |

| On The Clock | Freemium | No | No | No | No | Basic | 2026 only |

| Underdog | Free | No | Scoring-based | No | No | No | 2026 only |

| ClevAnalytics | Free | No | No | PFF Grade filters | Session-based | No | 2026 only |

| PFF | Freemium | No | No | No | Yes | Premium | 2026 only |

| Pro Football Network | Free | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | 2026 only |

| The Draft Network | Freemium | No | No | No | No | Yes | 2026 only |

| ESPN | Free | No | Post-draft only | No | No | No | 2026 only |

| MockOut | Free | No | No | No | No | No | 2026 only |

| NFL Mock Draft Database | Free | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | 2026 only |

| NFL Draft Buzz | Free | No | No | No | No | Yes | 2026 only |

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The Feature Gap Is Massive

Before diving into individual reviews, here's what stood out from testing. StickToTheModel has features that no other simulator even attempts:

  • Player + pick trades — Every other simulator limits you to pick-for-pick. STM lets you package veterans with picks, like real NFL draft day.
  • Custom draft data — Edit team needs, player rankings, save named draft boards to your account. Nobody else offers this.
  • 5-year draft archive — Run mocks for 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, or 2027. Every competitor is locked to the current year.
  • Player comparison tool — Side-by-side prospect breakdowns with strengths and weaknesses. Built into the draft room.
  • Advanced filters — RAS scores, height/weight ranges, 40 times, vertical jumps. Filter the board your way.
  • 9 sorting dimensions — Sort prospects by rank, position, school, combine metrics, and more.
  • Favorites system — Heart players on the board to track them as the draft unfolds.
  • Draft Day integration — Lock in real picks as they happen on actual draft night.
  • Analytics dashboard — Position counts, value/reach analysis, position runs, pick-by-pick grades.
  • Contest system — Mock Draft Mania with $1,000+ prizes.

    • That's not a slight edge. That's a different tier of product.

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    Detailed Reviews

    1. StickToTheModel — Best Overall (Free)

    The most feature-complete simulator by a significant margin. Not close.

    StickToTheModel started as a mock draft tool and evolved into a full NFL analytics platform. The draft simulator reflects that depth — it's not just picking players from a list. It's a genuine simulation of draft day decision-making.

    #### Why It's #1

    The only simulator with player trades. Want to package Davante Adams with a third-round pick to move into the top 15? You can. Every other simulator on this list limits trades to pick-for-pick swaps. Real NFL drafts involve player movement — the Eagles trading for AJ Brown during the 2022 draft, for example. Only STM lets you simulate those scenarios. Trade interface that actually works. Rich Hill and Jimmy Johnson trade value charts built in. A visual progress bar shows whether your offer is fair, overpaying, or insulting — before you submit. Counter-offers come back with reasoning. This is leagues ahead of every competitor's "accept/reject" binary. 5 years of draft classes. Run mocks for 2023 through 2027. Want to re-draft the 2024 class knowing what you know now? Done. Every other simulator is locked to the current year. Custom draft data. This is unique. You can edit team needs, adjust player rankings, and save named draft board configurations to your account. Load "My Big Board v3" and draft against your own rankings. Nobody else offers anything like this. Community consensus from 300,000+ mocks. After each pick, see what percentage of users selected that player at that spot. See rising and falling trends. Community data powers the consensus board and team-specific draft patterns. It's a dataset no individual analyst can match. Full scouting integration. Each prospect includes: detailed scouting report, physical measurements, combine data, college career stats (not just one season), ranking history chart, team visit data, NFL player comparisons, and bust/star probability scores. Draft grades at every level. Per-pick grades as you draft (was this a reach or a steal?) plus a full team draft grade at the end. No other simulator grades individual picks in real-time. Multiplayer — both modes. Realtime drafting with friends via room codes, plus async leagues where you pick on your own time. AI fills in for unclaimed teams. Advanced player filters and sorting. Filter by RAS score, height/weight range, 40 time, vertical leap. Sort 9 different ways. The board adapts to how you evaluate prospects. Draft Day mode. When the real draft starts, lock in actual picks as they happen and continue your mock from that point. See how your strategy changes with real-world information.

    #### Where Competitors Do Something STM Doesn't (Yet)

  • Availability probability — A to Z Sports shows the % chance a player is still available at your pick. STM has the community data to compute this but doesn't surface it in-draft yet.
  • Mid-draft speed controls — A to Z and On The Clock let you change sim speed during the draft. STM's speed is set pre-draft.
  • Inline measurements on the board — On The Clock shows height/weight/40 under every player name without clicking. STM requires a tap to see measurements.
  • AI pick suggestions — A to Z recommends a player when it's your turn. STM highlights needs but doesn't explicitly suggest a pick.
  • Spectator mode — ClevAnalytics (Imagine) lets you watch 32 AI teams draft without participating.

    • These are UX polish items, not fundamental feature gaps. The data and logic already exist in STM — it's a matter of surfacing them differently.

    #### The Verdict

    Nobody else combines player trades, custom draft data, 5-year archives, community consensus, multiplayer, scouting reports, and per-pick grading into one free platform. StickToTheModel isn't incrementally better. It's a generation ahead.

    Try StickToTheModel Free — no signup required.

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    2. A to Z Sports — Best Newcomer

    Clean interface with smart UX decisions, but feature-light.

    A to Z Sports entered the mock draft space with a polished product that makes some clever UX choices. The availability probability feature — showing the % chance a player is still on the board when you pick — is genuinely useful.

    #### Strengths

  • Availability probability — Shows whether a player will likely still be available at your pick (+10, +20, +30). Smart use of community data.
  • AI pick suggestions — Toggle a recommendation for your pick when it's your turn.
  • Mid-draft speed controls — Switch between Slow, Normal, and Fast without leaving the draft room.
  • Unlimited undo — Undo any pick, not just your most recent one.
  • Clean modern UI — Feels polished and responsive.

    • #### Weaknesses

  • No player trades — Picks only.
  • No draft grades — No feedback on pick quality.
  • No scouting reports — No prospect detail beyond basic info.
  • No college stats — Can't see a prospect's production history.
  • No custom data — Can't edit rankings or team needs.
  • 2026 only — No historical draft classes.
  • No multiplayer — Solo only.
  • No combine data filters — Can't filter by athleticism.

    • #### Best For

    Casual users who want a fast, clean mock with helpful AI guidance. If you don't need depth — just quick mocks — A to Z is pleasant to use.

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    3. On The Clock — Best Quick Mock

    Bold prospect grades on the board and inline measurements make for a rich scanning experience.

    On The Clock's standout feature is showing big, bold numeric grades (99, 98, 97) right on the prospect list. You can instantly tell who's elite and who's a reach. Combined with inline physical measurements under every player name, the board feels like a real scouting room.

    #### Strengths

  • Prospect grade scores — Numeric grades visible on the board without clicking. Communicates player quality at a glance.
  • Inline measurements — Height, weight, 40 time displayed under every player name. No tap required.
  • Mid-draft speed controls — Slow, Medium, Fast accessible during the draft.
  • Clean experience — Fast to start, minimal friction.

    • #### Weaknesses

  • Save drafts locked behind PRO — $4.99 paywall for saving your mocks.
  • No player trades — Picks only.
  • No draft grades — Despite showing prospect grades, doesn't grade your actual picks.
  • No scouting reports — Measurements are there, but no written analysis.
  • No custom data — Can't customize the board.
  • No multiplayer — Solo only.
  • 2026 only — No historical classes.

    • #### Best For

    Users who want to scan the board quickly and value visual prospect quality indicators. Good for rapid-fire mocking.

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    4. Underdog — Best for Community Competition

    Scoring-based system and leaderboards create a competitive mock draft experience.

    Underdog approaches mock drafts as a competitive game. Instead of draft grades, they use a scoring system tied to a leaderboard. Their Round 1 Pick Board visualization — a stacked bar chart showing which players go where — is the most shareable piece of content in the draft sim space.

    #### Strengths

  • Leaderboard and scoring — Turns mock drafting into a competition. Compare your score against the community.
  • Round 1 Pick Board heatmap — A color-coded visualization showing pick probability by slot. Media-ready, shareable, visually compelling.
  • Stock Up / Stock Down — Trending players based on community activity. Who's rising and falling this week.
  • Conference/division team grid — Clean team selection UI.

    • #### Weaknesses

  • No player trades — Picks only.
  • No scouting reports — No prospect analysis.
  • No custom data — Can't modify the board.
  • Sign-in required to save — Can't save drafts without an account.
  • 2026 only — No historical classes.
  • No multiplayer — Solo only.
  • Limited sorting — Can't sort the board by combine metrics or other dimensions.

    • #### Best For

    Competitive users who want to see how their drafts stack up against the community. The leaderboard adds a gamification layer that casual users enjoy.

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    5. ClevAnalytics (Imagine) — Best for Film Nerds

    PFF grade integration and team tendency data for users who want schematic depth.

    ClevAnalytics differentiates with PFF-adjacent data. Filter prospects by PFF grade, snap percentage, and age. Their post-draft intel report and team tendencies heatmap add an analytical layer most simulators skip.

    #### Strengths

  • PFF-grade-based filters — Filter the board by PFF grade, age, snap percentage. Unique data integration.
  • Team tendencies — Heatmap showing which positions each team drafts most, how they deviate from consensus, historical patterns.
  • Post-draft intel — Analytical breakdown of your draft class after completion.
  • AI Sim / Spectator mode — Watch 32 AI GMs draft without participating. Great for studying draft dynamics.
  • Teams leaderboard — Cross-team comparison view.

    • #### Weaknesses

  • No player trades — Picks only.
  • No draft grades during the draft — Intel comes after, not during.
  • Session-based saving — Drafts tied to browser session, not persistent accounts.
  • No scouting reports — No written prospect analysis.
  • No custom data — Can't edit the board.
  • 2026 only — No historical classes.
  • No combine data — Can't see measurements or filter by athleticism.

    • #### Best For

    Analytics-minded users who want scheme context and team-level insights layered into their mock draft experience.

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    6. Pro Football Network — Best for Multiplayer

    The go-to platform for drafting with friends. Up to 32 users in real-time.

    PFN carved out a clear niche: multiplayer. If you want to draft against real people — draft parties, league events, friend groups — PFN is the platform.

    #### Strengths

  • Free real-time multiplayer — Up to 32 users drafting simultaneously. No other free platform matches this scale.
  • Three trade types — User-to-sim, sim-to-user, sim-to-sim during drafts.
  • Scouting reports — Decent prospect breakdowns included free.
  • Speed controls — Slow, Normal, Fast simulation speed.

    • #### Weaknesses

  • No player trades — Pick-only.
  • No draft grades — No pick quality feedback.
  • No undo — Misclicks are permanent.
  • Trade logic is exploitable — CPU accepts lopsided deals more than it should.
  • No trade calculator — Guessing at pick values without visual feedback.

    • #### Best For

    Draft parties and groups. If multiplayer is your priority, PFN is the answer.

    Try Pro Football Network

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    7. PFF — Premium but Pricey

    Deep scouting data behind a paywall that's harder to justify now.

    PFF's simulator benefits from their grading database. But with PFF pivoting to B2B and laying off their content team, the consumer product's future is uncertain. At $24.99/mo, the value proposition weakens when free alternatives offer more interactive features.

    #### Strengths

  • PFF grades and advanced metrics — Industry-standard scouting data (subscribers only).
  • Multiplayer — Draft rooms for competing with others.
  • Trade functionality — Solid pick-for-pick system.

    • #### Weaknesses

  • $24.99/mo — Most features locked behind subscription.
  • No player trades — Picks only.
  • No draft grades — Doesn't evaluate your selections.
  • No undo — Misclicks are final.
  • B2B pivot uncertainty — Consumer product investment declining.

    • #### Best For

    Existing PFF subscribers. Hard to recommend as a standalone mock draft tool at the current price.

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    8. The Draft Network — Best Scouting Reports

    400+ detailed prospect reports. Trades require premium.

    TDN's prospect analysis remains the best in the business. If you want deep scouting breakdowns integrated into your mock, TDN delivers — but you'll pay for trading.

    #### Strengths

  • 400+ scouting reports — Most comprehensive free prospect analysis available.
  • Direct report integration — Access full reports mid-draft.
  • Share functionality — Clean mock exports for social media.

    • #### Weaknesses

  • Trades are premium-only — Key feature behind paywall.
  • Known bugs — CPU sometimes auto-picks for controlled teams after trades.
  • No player trades — Pick-only even with premium.
  • No grades or undo — Standard limitations.

    • #### Best For

    Prospect researchers who prioritize scouting data over simulation features.

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    9-12. ESPN, MockOut, NFL Mock Draft Database, NFL Draft Buzz

    These four offer functional but basic mock draft experiences:

    ESPN — Simple interface with post-draft grades and a Draft Day Predictor feature. Good for casual fans. No scouting reports, no undo, no player trades. MockOut — Mobile-first app with solid trade logic when it works. Bug history has frustrated users. No grades, no undo, no player trades. NFL Mock Draft Database — Combines simulator with expert mock aggregation. Community features and multi-team control. Interface feels dated. NFL Draft Buzz — Clean, no-frills experience with a trade value meter and CPU-to-CPU trade toggle. Straightforward but limited.

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    The Full Feature Matrix

    This is the comparison that matters. Every feature, every simulator, no hand-waving.

    Where StickToTheModel Is Clearly Ahead

    | Feature | STM | A to Z | On The Clock | Underdog | ClevAnalytics | Everyone Else |

    |---------|-----|--------|-------------|----------|---------------|---------------|

    | Player + Pick Trades | Yes (only one) | No | No | No | No | No |

    | Draft Year Selection | 5 years (2023-2027) | 2026 only | 2026 only | 2026 only | 2026 only | 2026 only |

    | Custom Draft Data | Full editor + cloud save | None | None | None | None | None |

    | Player Comparison | Side-by-side | None | None | None | None | None |

    | Advanced Filters | RAS, measurements, 40 time | None | None | None | PFF grade/age | None |

    | 9 Sorting Dimensions | Yes | None | None | None | N/A | None |

    | Per-Pick Draft Grades | Yes | None | None | Scoring-based | None | ESPN (post-draft only) |

    | Analytics Dashboard | Full (position counts, value/reach, runs) | None | None | None | Post-draft intel | None |

    | Favorites System | Yes | None | None | None | None | None |

    | Draft Day Integration | Yes (lock real picks) | None | None | None | None | None |

    | Contest System | Mock Draft Mania ($1K+) | None | None | Leaderboard | None | None |

    | College Career Stats | Full career stats | None | None | None | None | None |

    | Visit Data | Yes | None | None | None | None | None |

    | Ranking History | Timeline chart per player | None | None | None | None | None |

    | Multiplayer | Realtime + Async | None | None | None | Session-based | PFN, PFF |

    | Save to Account | Yes (Firestore, named) | None | PRO only ($4.99) | Sign-in only | Session-based | Varies |

    Where It's Even

    | Feature | STM | Competitors |

    |---------|-----|-------------|

    | Team selection (conference/division grid) | Yes | A to Z, Underdog, On The Clock — all comparable |

    | Number of rounds (1-7) | Configurable | All offer 1-7 (some locked behind PRO) |

    | Search players | Text search | All have search |

    | College logos | Yes | Most have them |

    | Undo | Back to last user pick | A to Z has unlimited undo (any pick) |

    Where Competitors Have UX Advantages

    | Feature | Who Does It | Why It's Good | STM Status |

    |---------|------------|---------------|------------|

    | Availability probability (% chance player is available at your pick) | A to Z | Helps decide whether to trade up or wait | Data exists in community mocks — not surfaced in-draft yet |

    | Mid-draft speed controls | A to Z, On The Clock | Change speed without leaving the draft room | Speed set pre-draft only |

    | Big numeric prospect grades on board | On The Clock | Instantly scannable quality indicator | Rank shown, grades appear after picking |

    | Inline measurements on board | On The Clock | Height/weight/40 visible without clicking | Requires tap to see |

    | AI pick suggestions | A to Z | Helps casual users who freeze on their pick | Highlights needs but no explicit recommendation |

    | AI Sim / Spectator mode | ClevAnalytics | Watch 32 AI teams draft without participating | No explicit spectator mode |

    | Team tendencies heatmap | ClevAnalytics | Cross-team position draft patterns | Data exists, not visualized as heatmap |

    | Stock Up / Stock Down | Underdog | Trending players based on community shifts | Individual ranking history exists, no aggregate view |

    | Draft trends heatmap | Underdog | Round 1 pick board — most shareable visual in the space | Community data exists, presented as lists not heatmap |

    These are presentation gaps, not feature gaps. STM has the underlying data for most of these — the community mock database, the ranking history, the combine data. The competitors just surface some of it in more accessible ways.

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    Why Player Trades Change Everything

    This needs its own section because it's that important.

    Every simulator on this list except StickToTheModel limits you to pick-for-pick trades. That's not how real NFL drafts work.

    Recent draft-day player trades:

  • 2022: Eagles traded pick #18 to Tennessee for AJ Brown during the draft
  • 2023: Multiple veteran-for-pick packages were discussed and some executed
  • Teams regularly explore "player + pick" deals during draft weekend

    • If you're a Steelers fan who wants to trade George Pickens and a second-round pick to move into the top 10 for a quarterback — only StickToTheModel lets you simulate that. If you want to package a high-salary veteran with a late pick to move up — only STM.

    Player trades don't just add one feature. They change the entire strategic landscape of your mock. The draft becomes a full roster construction exercise instead of just "pick the best available from a list."

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    The Custom Data Advantage

    This is another STM exclusive that doesn't get enough attention.

    Most simulators give you one set of rankings. Their rankings. Take it or leave it.

    StickToTheModel lets you:

  • Edit team needs — Disagree with the default needs for the Bears? Change them.
  • Adjust player rankings — Think a prospect is overrated or underrated? Move them on your board.
  • Save named draft board configurations — "My Big Board v3" saved to your account, loadable anytime.
  • Load shared boards — Use community-created boards.

    • This means your mocks reflect your evaluation, not a default set of rankings. For serious draft enthusiasts, this is transformative. You're not just picking from someone else's board — you're drafting against your own analysis.

    No other simulator offers any version of this feature.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the best free NFL mock draft simulator in 2026?

    StickToTheModel is the best free NFL mock draft simulator in 2026. It's the only simulator with player trades, custom draft data editing, 5-year draft archives (2023-2027), per-pick draft grades, community consensus from 300,000+ mocks, and multiplayer — all completely free. No signup required to start.

    Which mock draft simulators let you trade players?

    StickToTheModel is the only mock draft simulator that allows player trades. All other simulators — A to Z Sports, On The Clock, Underdog, ClevAnalytics, PFF, ESPN, Pro Football Network, The Draft Network, and others — only support pick-for-pick trades.

    How does StickToTheModel compare to A to Z Sports mock draft?

    StickToTheModel offers significantly more features: player + pick trades (A to Z has picks only), custom draft data editing, 5-year draft archive, per-pick grades, scouting reports, college stats, combine filters, multiplayer, and analytics dashboard. A to Z has better in-draft UX with availability probability and mid-draft speed controls. STM wins on depth; A to Z wins on specific UX polish.

    How does StickToTheModel compare to On The Clock mock draft?

    StickToTheModel offers player trades, custom data, 5-year archives, draft grades, multiplayer, scouting reports, and an analytics dashboard — none of which On The Clock has. On The Clock shows prospect grade scores and inline measurements on the board (STM requires a tap). On The Clock also charges $4.99 for saving drafts; STM is free.

    Which mock draft simulator has the best AI?

    StickToTheModel has the most sophisticated AI for both drafting and trading. CPU teams evaluate trades using Rich Hill value charts (can't be fleeced), draft based on team needs that update with your offseason moves, and provide reasoned counter-offers. A to Z's AI pick suggestions help casual users. ClevAnalytics shows team draft tendencies.

    Can you do multiplayer mock drafts?

    StickToTheModel offers both realtime and async multiplayer with room codes and AI for unclaimed teams. Pro Football Network supports up to 32 users in real-time. PFF has multiplayer for subscribers. Most other simulators (A to Z, On The Clock, Underdog, ClevAnalytics, ESPN) are single-player only.

    Which mock draft simulators have draft grades?

    StickToTheModel provides both per-pick grades (real-time as you draft) and per-team grades (A+ through F at completion). ESPN provides grades only after completing the full draft. Underdog has a scoring-based system tied to a leaderboard. All other major simulators — A to Z, On The Clock, ClevAnalytics, PFF, PFN, TDN — have no grading feature.

    What's new in mock draft simulators for 2026?

    The big 2026 additions: A to Z Sports launched with availability probability and AI pick suggestions. On The Clock added inline prospect grades and measurements. Underdog introduced a community-powered Round 1 heatmap and leaderboard. ClevAnalytics brought PFF-grade-based filters and team tendency analytics. StickToTheModel added multiplayer (realtime + async), Mock Draft Mania contests with $1,000+ prizes, and Draft Day integration for live draft night.

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    The Bottom Line

    The mock draft simulator space has never been more competitive. Five new entrants in the past year means more options for fans — and that's good.

    But the feature gap between StickToTheModel and everyone else is not subtle. Player trades, custom draft data, 5-year archives, per-pick grades, community consensus from 300K+ mocks, multiplayer, scouting reports with college stats and visit data, analytics dashboards, Draft Day integration, and contest systems — all free.

    The new competitors bring smart UX ideas (A to Z's availability probability, On The Clock's inline grades, Underdog's heatmap). Those are worth learning from. But ideas and features are different things. The underlying data and functionality gap remains massive.

    Our recommendation:
  • For the best overall experience: StickToTheModel — not close.
  • For multiplayer drafts: StickToTheModel (realtime + async) or Pro Football Network (up to 32 users).
  • For casual quick mocks: A to Z Sports or On The Clock.
  • For competitive scoring: Underdog's leaderboard.
  • For film-grade integration: ClevAnalytics.
  • For prospect research alongside your mock: The Draft Network's scouting reports.

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    Try the #1 Mock Draft Simulator

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