RosterWatch Week 5 Waiver Wire Cheat Sheet Now Available

Byron BylineBuilding a championship-caliber fantasy roster requires basic weekly waiver-wire management. We’ve created the Waiver Wire Cheat Sheet so that in a just a few minutes a week, our users can make the same expert waiver maneuvers we personally make in our own leagues, throughout the season.

Whether you play in a standard waiver-claim format, or in a free-agent bidding system – we’ve got you covered. Read the chart top to bottom, and use it like the Draft Cheat Sheet. It’s not mandatory to go after the very top pick up every single week – use some basic discretion. Insane value can be cultivated through the bottom of the Waiver Wire Cheat Sheet over the course of the season.

All players listed on the WWCS are currently on the waiver wire in at least 50% of fantasy leagues across all major formats.

*Our advice is to recycle an average of 1-2 players per week from the bottom of your roster into hot waiver-wire pickups for the current week. This can be accomplished via waivers, or on the cheap as free-agent pickups post-waiver period .

PRO members, click here to download the cheat sheet.

124 Comments

  1. Should I drop riddick or buck Allen for gallman?

    1. Man,I’m tired of the Titans backfield already should I Drop these guys are what,and pick up new players

    2. Yes

      1. Yes add Gallman. No don’t drop TN backs.

    3. riddick is droppable

  2. Full ppr

  3. I’m pretty happy with most of my team, and am trying to build out depth while streaming as necessary. I have Drew Brees as my QB, but need to stream someone for this week. I also effectively only have one slot open, so if I want to keep anyone beyond this week, I’ll need to give up someone (likely Kearse, who is on my bench). Is Watson worth trying to hold onto past this week? Should I be targeting someone else? Standard 12 team league.

    QB:
    Drew Brees
    Kizer (place holder open spot to allow for streaming one player per week)

    RB:
    Zeke
    Gordon
    Doug Martin
    Derrek Henry
    Donta Foreman

    WR
    Keenan Allen
    DeVante Parker
    Marquis Lee
    Kearse

    TE:
    Jimmy Graham

    1. Grab Watson and trade Brees. He is the Man. I would not be surprised when he beats the Chiefs on Sunday night football.

  4. Post By Longhornfireman

    I have Hunt and Fournette as primary RB’s. Used Gordon the 1st 3 weeks, but am now concerned that he’s not worth keeping on the bench. My WR’s are strong and byes don’t hurt much until about week 9. Should I drop Gordon for an Abdullah type player for the byes?

    1. Do not drop Melvin gordon.

  5. Would you drop Marty Bennett (I have Engram) for Ellington or Gallman? Thanks!

    1. Yes for Gallman

    2. i could lose him for either. ellington if it’s a ppr

  6. TE Q. Would you drop Witten for BRATE, Watson or Engram. Also in another league would you drop Graham for Clay, BRATE, Engram or Watson ? And of course Kroft is available in both leagues. Thanks

    1. Get watson

  7. Post By Garrison92088

    Trade T Coleman and W Sneed for Mixon and D Adams. .5ppr. Have Ajayi, D Martin, D Henry, D Foreman. Thank you!!

    1. I would.

  8. I have Cousins on a bye this week, need to p/u a backup.

    How would you rank the QB’s Available in my league.

    Watson, Dalton, Palmer, Manning, Goff, McCown

    1. WATSON. Sit back and enjoy your Sunday night.

      1. I agree on Watson, but how would you rank the rest?

        Palmer, Dalton, Goff, Manning, McCown?

  9. I assume Carson Palmer is owned too much to be on this list? Would you take him over Dalton or some others? Watson is already owned in my league and I’ve got Brees on bye.

  10. Thanks for everything you guys do! Loving the PRO version.

    1. I am 1-3 and got offered the following trade in PPR: I give up Lamar Miller and get Jay Ajayi and Jonathan Stewart. My other RBs are C. McCaffrey, D. Foreman, D. Henry, C. Carson(definitely getting dropped this week), Buck Allen, and J. Charles. Worth it?

    2. Should I pick up Evan Engram to take over as TE for Kyle Rudolph in PPR?

    1. 1. i think so
      2. that’s fine too. i think engram has a higher floor

      1. Thanks!

  11. Post By kenru84@optonline.net

    No Jaron Brown on the sheets?

    1. that’s cause i didn’t have input. i like brown a lot.

  12. Post By hjhieme@gmail.com

    I have Ty Montgomery and Jamaal Williams. Do drop Williams for Jones (Kamara and Rawals are already ownded)

    Also, I have Witten and Cook. Do I drop one to add WR/RB depth from the wavier list?

    1. Post By hjhieme@gmail.com

      I am in a .5 ppr league

    2. sure, unless it’s a dynasty. i think anyone you’re not starting is expendable

  13. Where do you think John Brown would fall on this week’s ULTIMATE WWCS? Available in my .5pr league.
    And happy b-day Alex!

  14. Need some advice on which one to spend my waiver priority on…10 team standard, Will Fuller or Alvin Kamara

    RB’s are McCoy, Ajayi, CJA, Doug Martin, Rob Kelly, and Buck Allen

    WR’s are Michael Thomas, Brandin Cooks, Keenan Allen, Marvin Jones, and Marquis Lee

    1. Alvin

  15. Looking to trade Gordon. Should I target Ajayi? Also could add Crabtree with Gordon and go for someone, who should I try and snag? Thanks guys

  16. Hey rosterwatch!!
    So after losing David Johnson Ive been struggling at rb and it’s been killing me every week. I’m now 1-3 because I lost 2 pts for Chris Thompson fumble..
    Anw, looking forward I was offered Blount for Jeffrey in a league where it’s impossible to trade.
    Wrs are:
    K Benjamin
    K Allen
    A Jeffrey
    D Parker
    J docktson

    Rbs are:
    Freeman (bye)
    Thompson (bye)
    Charles (bye)
    Aaron Jones (feel like Rodgers loves that kid)
    Smallwood

    Obviously need to win this week.
    Do you make that trade?

    1. i don’t like that trade. i think jones will start this week and smallwood is just as viable as blount this week.

  17. PPR looking to pick up Lat Murray off waivers. Drop Buck Allen, Riddick, or Lee?

  18. Post By Dsummitt15@sbcglobal.net

    12 team standard scoring
    4-0 record
    Dalvin cook owner…. Can roster watch nation save my season?
    QB: Russell Wilson
    RB: Doug Martin, Alvin Kamara, Buck Allen, Corey Clement
    WR: Mike Evans, Micheal Thomas, Keenan Allen, Stefon Diggs, Kenny Golladay
    TE: Travis Kelce
    Defense: Chiefs/Rams
    Kicker: Matt Bryant
    Looked at the waiver wire cheat sheet… I’m going to drop dalvin, Rams D, and Clement and Bid a lot of my $100 budget for Latavius Murray, Gallman, and McGuire.
    Other then picking those guys up on the waiver wire, I’m obviously looking to make a trade for a RB1. Guys in my league are smart and a lot of teams are thin at RB so making a trade will be difficult. Should I try to move Evans (Would love to keep him on my team) for a RB or should I just sit tight and hope some of my waiver wire additions pan out? Give me some guidance RWnation

    1. 4-0 you can relax a bit, no real rush but I would look at moving one of your 4 stud WRs. Allen and Diggs for me are the most valuable they will be all season and I would see if I could move one of them for a RB upgrade. Id look for a RB int he Andersen, AJayi, Hyde range. Wait until waivers run and see who you end up with.

    2. depends on who you can get for evans. there are only a few guys i would even consider like bell or gurley

      1. Post By Dsummitt15@sbcglobal.net

        would you move Thomas for CJ straight up?

  19. Love the Cheat Sheet… But still have some questions.

    Lynch, Charles, Henry, B Allen better than the top end of the sheet (Top 6? RB)
    Garcon better than top 2 on CS?
    Thanks in advance/

  20. Howard owner,

    Foreman or Cohen recyclable at this point? Or hold?

    1. i think you hold cohen. unless you need to start foreman, i don’t see him taking over anytime soon so he’s expendable if you need to make moves.

  21. Post By Steelnation1825

    What’s the better trade? I would be getting Jay Ajayi or Lesean Mccoy and Doug Baldwin and giving Doug Martin and Tyreek Hill.

    1. i think you get the better deal

      1. Post By Steelnation1825

        Should I try for McCoy or Ajayi?

        1. Post By Byron Lambert

          Close call, I would double check the schedule- but I personally think that I would. Heck, you might be able to get Ajayi + for Shady.

  22. Alfred Morris or McFadden if Elliot goes?

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      All signs have always been McFadden until very recently We still have a suspicion DMC will get big run if EE is out, but last year Morris looked like the clear handcuff coming out of camp- and it ended up being DMC. So, we’d recommend grabbing the one that costs you the least in terms of FAAB or waiver priority.

  23. I have Evan engram And J Graham. Should I try to trade graham? Also, is Buck Allen droppable?

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      See below. Yes, on Buck if you need to- but not a must drop esp in ppr.

  24. Here is a name for the Trashman- CJ Ham.

  25. Should I trade away graham and marshawn to get Ajayi? Have Engram and better RBs

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      YES

  26. Lions worth a waiver claim? Or is it a middle of the night type add?

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      Love going sleeper agent in a night raid on the wire.

      1. Post By Trashmans Fonzanoons

        Agreed I cleaned up. Kamara, McGuire, Lions. Big time swindle going down while I slept.

        1. Post By Byron Lambert

          Fuck yeah!

  27. OJ Howard of ASJ This week and ROS?

    1. Or****

      1. Post By Byron Lambert

        Tough call, prob ASJ. As a prospect and a player who gets us excited on a good offense, it’s Howard we love for those reasons. If it’s a stash you can think about Howard. If you need a weekly play- ASJ

  28. Big Ben or Staffird ROS?

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      Stream. Maybe Big Ben by a hair, but impossible to tell.

  29. 1 point ppr drop d Henry for Kamara lmk thanks

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      Yes.

  30. worth burning the number one waiver on alf mo speculatively? or pick up lat murray?

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      Wouldn’t waste it on either. Maybe Murray if desperate at RB.

  31. RW mods…. I’m off to 1-3 start and my team has scored the fewest points of all teams in a 10 team standard league. I followed the standard cheat sheet when drafting and have suffered injuries to Allen Robinson, Corey Coleman, and Ty Montgomery (hopefully not out too long). I look at the waiver wire sheet every week. Gordon, Graham, Lynch, and Marshall have been huge disappointments so far. How do I turn things around? What moves should I make?

    Current roster:
    QB: Winston
    RB: Gordon, Montgomery, Lynch, Cohen
    WR: Michael Thomas, Baldwin, D Jackson, Kupp, Brandon Marshall
    TE: Graham, Clay, Cook
    K: McManus
    D: Bengals

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      Man, unfortunately – this isn’t an issue of having bad players or a bad team- it’s an issue of having unpredicably bad injury luck, and just an overall slow start. In the end, a lot of these players will have had big seasons when we look back at the end of the year, and the production will come in waves. It’s a matter of if you can survive long until it happens.

      Which, means two things – it’s time to go into full must-win mode- and every decision you make has to be to win now. This may or may not include a variety of different kinds of trades.

      Winston has the bet matchup in fantasy football this week, you have to feel good about him.
      Gordon is banged up, and you have to hope his health is improving. It’s a bone bruise, so it’s entirely possible he continues to slowly feel better. He’s also scored 14 fantasy points for 3/4 weeks, so calling him a disappointment is a bit of stretch, albeit he hasn’t had the monster game or volume yet we’d like.

      Ty Montgomery was very good to begin the year, and was having a 1st series monster vs CHI before the injury. We advised you guys to attempt to sell him high. The injuries suck, but are just a part of the deal.

      Lynch- a bit concerned- don’t love the BAL may be getting NT Brandon Williams back this week, BUT – this is the beginning of a 3 game consecutive home stretch for Lynch- which bodes well for a rebound in the near future. I think you have to play him the next 3 weeks in a row.

      Michael Thomas and the Saints offense is heating up- keep playing him. The same with Baldwin, and Jackson.

      Start benching Graham if you haven’t already. He’s heating up. But, you should have been heavily considering playing Clay or Cook the last few weeks- and can continue examine that closely until Graham surfaces.

      Marshall can be dropped anytime. Cohen is a solid flex any given week. You should listen to tomorrow’s trade podcast. But- right now to begin you need to look sat shipping anybody and everybody on your team for players who can help you win this week. Jay Ajayi could be a target. Trade TyM if you have to at a discount in a multiplayer deal. If they want Gordon or Thomas entertain it.

      You need to take a few good players and consolidate them into 1-2 buy low blue chip players that could help change the course of your season.

      Best wishes. Keep Grinding. We really appreciate the effort you are putting in. Try to enjoy the season, and realize there are some variable you just simply cannot control. But,, always put yourself in best position to succeed.

  32. Post By dignan@foxinternet.net

    Hey guys. I’ve got the #2 waiver pick tonight. I’ve got a solid starting lineup but am looking to pick up one of the RBs available this week. Looking for long-term, and high ceiling, not just this week. 0.5 ppr.
    I am thinking of dropping J.Maclin for one of these RBs: A.Ellington, L.Murray, A.Jones, W.Gallman.
    Leaning towards Ellington but am interested in your input/advice. If you’ve got the time, throw in your reasoning.
    Much appreciated!
    JB
    The Immaculate Collection
    2-1-1

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      Between Ellington and Gallman for me, based on what you are describing. Yeah- would have no problem dropping Maclin. Gallman is more boom / bust , but could have a bit more upside long term.

      Ellington is in a decent situation right now, and playing well. He’s a more known commodity- you could actually insert in your lineup now if you wanted to. His upside is solid-but maybe a bit more limited.

      1. Post By Byron Lambert

        If you listened to the POD- you know those guys are neck and neck for us.

  33. dump D Jackson for Funchess off WW?

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      I would not

  34. go for G Allison dropping M Lee off WW?

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      Meh – if you love it for this week- we can live with it.

  35. Wait till the trade pod drops before we test the RosterWatch comments section on our trade questions? Byes week are scary but thankfully the hamster is no longer suspended and it’s time to let him out of the cage!

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      thankfully- a tiny bit concerned about his usage in his first week back- but yeah it feels good.

  36. Good morning — DST Q — With the bye weeks in full swing I have to decide weather to drop the Denver D for a bye week replacement. Denver started the season as one of the top D’s but through 4 weeks — based on my leagues scoring — that are ranked 17th with only 19 points compared to jags (43) and Lion’s (39). Is it time to just cut the Den D loose? Fantasy Pros still has the Den D ranked #1 for ROS. Whats this all about?
    Thanks for you insights as always.

    1. Lions, Raiders, Rams, Ravens, Bills, Eagles, Cards, Jets, are all available. Which is your favorite for this week and for ROS? thanks

    2. Post By Byron Lambert

      Rostering 2 defenses is always tough, we rarely do it. Main thing is keep winning this week- a drop for someone like the Lions, who have been on fire, would be fine.

      However, DEN D – yes we are a bit dubious to drop for a few reasons Don’t you have a shitty player at bottom of your roster- or a backup QB or backup TE you can drop?

      1. I’m starting Rivers and have Carr on the bench along with Lutz (i picked up Prater today & held off going for a second D) I will use Lutz to pick up a D and should I drop Carr for Luck, who is a free agent?
        Other than Gallman who I picked up today for Cook there is no one else drop worthy (I have Freeman Coleman and Thomas on a bye)
        thanks

  37. Good Morning Nation!

    Half point PPR. I Need 2 of these guys Alshon, Garcon, D Jackson, Martavious Bryant.

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      Rankings will be updated this afternoon, and then again tomorrow- please a keep an eye out. Those are some great options.

    2. i’d go garcon and jackson. alshon faces patrick peterson this week.

      1. Thank you sir!

  38. Post By chuckcnc@icloud.com

    Should I drop Paul Richardson to pick up John Brown?

    I am 2-2 and obviously want to win but more importantly I really want to prepare for latter weeks and playoffs.

    My WR corps is so weak (other than Hill).

    Tyreek, Funchess, Richardson and Doctson.

    16 team league with only 3 bench spots. now I have CJ, Doctson and McGuire on bench.

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      That’s a question for the Trashman. I’d prob keep PRich- he’s been consistent and hasn’t even really had a big game yet. It’s hard to trust John Brown, or Carson Palmer.

    2. i don’t hate that. richardson seems to have a pretty low ceiling in that offense

  39. Post By Trashmans Fonzanoons

    Which Bucs do you like best in DFS this week?

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      Prob Jameis – DeSean could be sneaky. So could OJ Howard.

      Evans is obviously very solid
      Brate is solid but will be popular

      Not through the roof on Doug Martin this week- could be sneaky if it ends up a low ownership % situation

      1. Post By Trashmans Fonzanoons

        Thanks Byron. Now get off the computer and go catch more piles of Trout.

  40. I’m 0-4. Need help. Was offered Ajayi and Clay for Kelce. My RB’s are Abdullah, Duke Johnson, Cohen, Buck Allen, Foreman and Aaron Jones.

    WR’s are Keenan Allen, Thielen and Golden Tate, Corey Davis and Sheppard.

    Should I do the trade and who should I drop?

    Thanks for the help RW nation

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      Take it. That’s awesome!

      This team looks you prob play in PPR. I’d look at trying to pair two or three players together that are playing well for one premium player – after of course you go ahead and accept this first deal. for Ajayi.

      Make sure and listen to today’s podcast later this afternoon. I will discuss your situation in depth. This is a good question.

    2. i would risk it at this point. i would probably drop jones, unless you plan on playing him this week.

  41. Post By jstanziani01@gmail.com

    Hi Folks,

    Would you start Doug Martin on Thursday night? My other option is D. Henry.

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      Not ideal – but the Week 1 bye from the hurricane has made many folks wait just about as long as they can wait on Martin. If you need him – roll him out. Yes, I would start him over Henry.

  42. 12 Team .5 PPR (1-3)

    [1] QB: Mariota
    [2] RB: Gordon, Howard (Powell, Kamara, McGuire)
    [2] WR: Jeffery, Parker (C. Davis, Shepard, Fuller)
    [1] TE: Cook (Reed)
    [1] W/R/T: Lynch
    Bench total: (6)

    Top Available:
    QB: Taylor, McCown, Goff
    RB: Bernard, Morris
    WR: Wallace, Wright, Zay Jones

    1) Welp this is my 2nd biggest money league and this team is 1-3! my 11th waiver priority couldn’t land me any of the top guys nor Watson or Palmer so I’m hurting at QB with Mariota’s injury… What do I do to salvage this season!? Trading is like pulling teeth in this league…

    2) Also who is the odd man out who will be dropped for a Kicker…

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      Crazy – because that’s such a good roster- just been a bit of a slow start. Don’t be surprised if this roster heats up for a bunch of wins soon- hopefully we can survive until then. So, we’ll focus on a win this week!

      Impossible decision on those QBs. On the waiver sheet I have them ranked back2back2ack- 1. Taylor 2. McCown 3. Goff

      I’d prob go ahead and pick Taylor up just to make sure I’ve got some insurance. Then wait for our QB rankings to go cumulative over the next 24 hours. We will be posting an update this afternoon- but we will continue to update every day.

      Think you can drop Davis. Not sure what to make of Cook with Ej Manuel at the helm- on the surface it’s a large downgrade and you need to look at other TE options to get through during Reed’s bye. If you have to stick to Cook, you can hope he gets the veteran TE security blanket treatment and becomes EJ’s best friend- it’s possible- just hard to bank on in their 1st game together vs BAL when you need a win badly. Best wishes!

      1. Thanks for the in-depth reply Byron!

  43. Post By Garrison92088

    T Coleman and W Sneed for D Adams and J Mixon. Which side?‬

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      Mixon + Adams – that would be a great deal.

  44. Wentz or Watson this week??
    Dougy Martin or Quizz a RB2? (PPR)

  45. RBs: Murray, Henry, Buck, Foreman, McGuire
    WRs: Green, Allen, D. Parker, M. Bryant, D. Funchess

    In PPR we play 2 RB, 2 WR, 2FL – Is it crazy to start both Henry and Murray with Mariota out and go WR for the other 4 spots. If not – which WR do you sit?

    How which 6 guys you playing? or which 4 do you sit?

    Thanks.

    1. sit foreman, allen, mcquire, bryant

  46. 1-3 WildBoars play 2 RB 2 WR 1 Flex PPR
    Brees/ Rivers
    Elliott, BPowell, JWhite, AKamara, DJohnson, LatMurray, JavAllen
    DHopkins, LFitzgerald, ATheilen
    Gronk
    Giants D

    My WR and RB aren’t that pretty to me… Should I drop JAllen and maybe someone else to pick up any of the below?
    In this league we get 2 moves a week only I have no one to cover on Bye
    Available to me on the wire are:
    RB: Smallwood, Rawls, D Formean, Gallman, McGuire, DForeman, David and Johnson to stash[I drafted originally] or AMorris as insurance for Elliott
    WR: SterShepard, Hurns, BMarshall, Funchess, Fuller, Kupp

    Thanx
    RB

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      Yes- we would drop Allen for any of the 5 guys you listed before David Johnson. We’d also drop him for Johnson, if you just want a stash- which mainly you need a win now- but it’s not clear any of these guys definitely accomplish that- so if you want the stash on DJ bad – it’s fine.

      Right now, though, almost every move you make should be aimed at winning now.

      1. Post By Byron Lambert

        same goes for Fuller. He’d be a nice pickup for you.

  47. Hi I need desperate help, I follow everything on xm and I don’t know how I am 0-4 with this roster 10 man standard

    Mariota
    Zeke
    D. Murray
    cooks
    adams
    D. Parker
    K. Allen
    D. Martin
    C. Newton on the bench
    I was offered a trade for zeke I would receive Rodgers and M lynch what’s your thoughts I need a win

    1. rodgers is a great play this week. lynch i don’t love, but they may lean on him with carr out. to be honest, you’re probably just as good to play zeke and cam. it’s a good looking team, you just ran into some buzzsaws it seems.

  48. hey guys – thx for the help!
    12 team 0.5 ppr currently 2-2

    I am 6th on waiver wire tonight. Need a QB w Brees on a bye.

    Planning to drop Perkins to get one of:
    D Watson QB
    A Jones
    Gallman
    Fuller WR
    Mcguire
    Murray

    Assuming I dont get Watson will drop Charles after for Eli/Tyrod/etc

    Thoughts?

  49. Sorry I need RB help big time (Lynch, Martin, Henry, Foreman, Perkins, Charles)

  50. Post By golfnooch@comcast.net

    I am a Gordon owner and have oliver as a cuff on my bench. Rawls is sitting there on waivers. Drop oliver for him?

    1. Post By golfnooch@comcast.net

      NM…did it. I’ll take the upside over the cuff all day long. Let’s hope this is rosterwatch approved and not trash…

  51. need some help, start 3 of these 5 WR’s in a full point PPR

    Garcon
    Thielen
    Golden Tate
    Jaron Brown
    Amendola

    Tate has been a big headache, do i play Jaron Brown against eagles secondary over him or amendola tonight against Bucs, My QB is Brady

    thanks

    Lone Wolf

  52. Hey Guys, trying to make some decisions on my flex and wr3 or rb2. What order would you start these guys in this week? Full point ppr thanks!

    Elijah McGuire
    doug martin
    Allen Hurns
    LeGarrette Blount

  53. The only week i have lost so far is the one i thought I would take someone elses advice….lol…never again!

    4-1 ANY GIVEN SUNDAY

  54. Post By gsox522@aol.com

    Offered a trade gronk,diggs,Alvin karmara for Odell Beckham, demarco Murray and/or martavis Bryant, micheal Crabtree any suggestions thabk you in advance

  55. Post By autumnhunter33

    I was offered Freeman-Foreman-Dem. Thomas for Hunt. Keep league and I have Cook, Carson on IR now. Collins, Gallman, Gills, Ekler, D. Henry. WR’s are Cobb, Amendola, M. Bryant, JuJu, Humphries. Would you do this trade?

  56. Dynasty league… Who will be better in the immediate future and future seasons… Hunter Henry or Austin Hooper?

  57. Pick one:

    Mcguire
    Aaron Jones
    Jamaal Williams
    Will Fuller

    1. .5 ppr btw

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