State of the Packers Roster Following the Draft

At least for the time being, the Green Bay Packers roster appears to be set. So here is a position by position look at this Packers team.


Free agency has been at a crawl, the draft is over, undrafted rookies have been signed, and the roster is set at the maximum of 90 players--although that can change quickly, as we've seen over the last few days with the Green Bay Packers signing Kobe Jones and Eli Wolf while releasing Chris Blair.

So with the roster now somewhat stable, I thought this would be as good of a time as any to take a position by position look at this Green Bay Packers team, while of course, providing my thoughts along the way.

Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love, Kurt Benkert, and Danny Etling

Unlike this time a year ago, we know what the quarterback room is going to look like. It's going to be Rodgers and Love--so obviously, that means I don't see Love getting traded this season. Now, that doesn't mean he's off limits by any means--I just don't believe that Green Bay will get the offer they're looking for. 

Running Back: Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Kylin Hill, Patrick Taylor, Tyler Goodson, and BJ Baylor

Jones and Dillon will make up one of, if not the best, running back duo in football; however, beyond those two, the Packers will have some decisions to make. If Kylin Hill is ready to go for Week 1, I would consider him the front-runner for RB3, and it will also be interesting to see if Green Bay decides to roster three running backs or four. 

I love Taylor's fit for this offense as he is tailormade -- pun intended -- for Matt LaFleur's system, but UDFA Tyler Goodson will be a name to watch this summer.

Wide Receiver: Randall Cobb, Danny Davis, Rico Gafford, Amari Rodgers, Malik Taylor, Samori Toure, Sammy Watkins, Juwann Winfree, Romeo Doubs, Allen Lazard, and Christian Watson

Did the Packers do enough at the receiver position this offseason? Ultimately, we will have to wait to find out, but in an attempt to answer the question, there is going to need to be a heavier reliance on LaFleur's system to scheme players open, and Green Bay is going to need Rodgers to play the like the back-to-back MVP, who can elevate this group. The defense and run game will also have to play larger roles as well. So with that caveat, yes, I believe the Packers can win playoff games with this group.

Prior to the draft, LaFleur mentioned that this offense needed more speed and playmaking ability, which they certainly added with Watson, Doubs, and Toure. The big question right now is, who is going to be the guy that can pick up seven yards on third and six?

There are rumors of the Packers having reported interest in free agents Julio Jones, Odell Beckham, and Jarvis Landry, but I still remain skeptical. For starters, it's going to require one of these players signing a somewhat team-friendly deal given the Packers' cap situation, and when it comes to roster space, it's not as if there is a ton of space as I would consider Watkins (as long as he's healthy), Cobb, Lazard, Watson, Rodgers, and Doubs locks--although they could certainly decide to keep seven receivers instead of the usual six. 

I'll also point out that Jones has missed 13 games the last two seasons and may be out of Green Bay's price range. We don't know when Beckham will return, and this is his second ACL injury since 2020. Meanwhile, Landry's skill-set is a bit similar to that of Cobb and Rodgers. These are just a few more reasons why I remain skeptical, but Gutey has certainly thrown us a few curveballs over the last couple of years as well.

Tight End: Dominique Dafney, Tyler Davis, Josiah Deguara, Marcedes Lewis, Alize Mack, Robert Tonyan, and Eli Wolf

Eight tight ends seems like quite a few to be heading into training camp with, and this is another position where some difficult decisions will have to be made. Whenever Tonyan is available, Green Bay is going to have to decide between keeping four or five tight ends. Tonyan, Deguara, and Lewis will be on the team, while Dafney could become a core special teams player under Rich Bisaccia and Gutey just spoke quite highly of Davis following the draft. 

Offensive Line: David Bakhtiari, Jahmir Johnson, Caleb Jones, Yosh Nijman, Rasheed Walker, Royce Newman, Sean Rhyan, Cole Van Lanen, Elgton Jenkins, George Moore, Zach Tom, Jon Runyan, Josh Myers, Cole Schneider, Michal Menet, and Jake Hanson

The competition along the offensive line this summer just got kicked up a few notches with the additions of Rhyan and Tom--both of whom could compete with Nijman at right tackle as well as at both guard positions, with Tom also able to play center. 

If Jenkins begins the season on the PUP list, the only spot along the offensive line that I would sharpie in for Week 1 is Bakhtiari at left tackle with Runyan and Myers penciled in. Otherwise, I imagine LaFleur is going to move players around this summer and let the competition unfold as he tries to find the best combination of five to put on the field.

Interior Defensive Line: Akial Beyers, Kenny Clark, Jonathan Ford, Jack Heflin, Dean Lowry, Jauati Pututau, Jarran Reed, TJ Slaton, and  Devonte Wyatt.

This has to be one of the more straight forward positions on the roster, with the defensive line rotation being made up of Clark, Slaton, Wyatt, Lowry, and Reed. The only real question is, do the Packers keep five interior defensive linemen or six? 

And, yes, I'm aware that the Packers can save $5.9 million by cutting Lowry after June 1st, but I don't see that happening. 

Edge rusher: Kingsley Enagbare, Tipa Galeai, Jonathan Garvin, Rashan Gary, La'Darius Hamilton, Chauncey Manac, Kobe Jones, Randy Ramsey, and Preston Smith

When speaking with reporters earlier this offseason, OLB coach Jason Rebrovich said that he wants a consistent rotation of four players every week--not to mention that Green Bay may end up rostering five edge rushers on the 53-man. Well, we know who two of those spots belong to, but the other 2-3 are very much up for grabs.

Bringing in a veteran edge rusher could still very much be on Gutekunst's offseason to-do list. 

Linebacker: Krys Barnes, Caliph Brice, Ellis Brooks, De'Vondre Campbell, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty Summers, Quay Walker, Ray Wilborn, and Tariq Carpenter.

With the addition of Walker, we are going to see much more two-linebacker sets from the Packers, which is also going to better allow them to disguise what they are doing defensively. When Barnes was on the field, it was fairly clear that they were more so playing the run, and with Black as the third safety, they were playing the pass. But now, it's going to be more difficult for opposing offenses to decipher what's taking place with Campbell and Walker's versatile skill-sets.

After those two, if the Packers choose to keep five linebackers as they did in 2021, Barnes, McDuffie, and Carpenter all could play key roles on special teams. And although Carpenter is listed as a safety, following the draft, LaFleur mentioned that he is going to be spending his time in the linebacker room. 

Cornerback: Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Eric Stokes, Kabion Ento, Shemar Jean-Charles, Keisean Nixon, Raleigh Texada, and Kiondre Thomas

As good as Alexander, Douglas, and Stokes can be, there are equally the same amount of question marks on the depth chart behind them. The rest of the cornerback room brings very little NFL experience, and another question I have is, who is going to play in the slot when Alexander is on the boundary? Again, there is just very little experience there on this roster.

While Alexander may finish the season with the most slot snaps, it's not as if he is going to spend all of his time there either--rather, he is going to move around with the opponent's top receiver. And if you want another UDFA name to watch this summer, Texada is another player who will be on my radar.

Along with edge rusher, this is another position that I wouldn't be surprised to see the Packers still add to in free agency.

Safety: Adrian Amos, Shawn Davis, Innis Gaines, Vernon Scott, Tre Sterling, and Darnell Savage

Safety is similar to cornerback in that the depth chart behind Amos and Savage is quite inexperienced. In fact, if you total up the NFL snaps for Davis, Gaines, Scott, and Sterling, they total 90--all of which belong to Scott. So this is another position group with a few roster spots up for grabs, although, as I already alluded to, with the addition of Walker at linebacker, I expect that we see three safeties on the field a lot less often.

Specialists: Pat O'Donnell, Mason Crosby, Steven Wirtel, Dominik Eberle, and JJ Molson

O'Donnell signed a two-year deal, so he is going to be on the roster and, from the sounds of it, should be an upgrade over Corey Bojorquez as a holder. I would like to see some competition at long-snapper, but that may not be the case with only  Wirtel on the roster. Lastly, I do expect there to be some level of competition this summer at kicker, but Crosby is going to win out.

It's also important to note that when Bisaccia met with reporters, he would mention that he expects to enter training camp with only two kickers--so a cut could be coming before then, which would also open up a roster spot as well.

 

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__________________________

Born and raised in Green Bay, WI and I still call it home. After my family, watching the Packers, sharing my opinions on the team through my writing and interacting with other fans is my greatest passion. You can find me on Twitter at @Paul_Bretl. 
 

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7 points
 

Comments (34)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
stockholder's picture

May 13, 2022 at 11:25 am

Trade Lowrey for Jerry Judy.

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mnbadger's picture

May 13, 2022 at 12:42 pm

Trade lowery for - fill in the blank.
Even cutting him after June 1 for cap savings to be applied to a more valuable resource anywhere on the roster would be a great trade.
J Heflin is a tough, smart, play through the whistle guy that, if he added strength since last summer, is probably an upgrade currently on the roster.
Great summary, I agree with all of it, thank you Ken. GPG!

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BuckyBadger's picture

May 13, 2022 at 01:35 pm

No one is going to trade for Lowry, his cap number is too big.

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BirdDogUni's picture

May 13, 2022 at 03:39 pm

Texans might. ; P They'd already have traded for him if O'Brien was still there.

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Bure9620's picture

May 13, 2022 at 10:00 pm

Not really that simple, you would need a team wanting to trade for him and in additiion to absorb that contract....not likely

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

May 14, 2022 at 12:21 pm

Is Lowry worth $5.4M? GB might end up paying his $500K workout bonus - if not, then $5.9M.

I wouldn't be interested at that number, but OTC put his 2021 value at over $8M. IDK.

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MarkinMadison's picture

May 13, 2022 at 01:04 pm

This roster has a couple of weak spots, with WR having the most question marks, but overall this is a really strong team. Personally, I'd bank on potential over proven talent at WR. Watson, Doubs and Toure bring a lot to the table. Play these guys, let them grow, get them ready for the play-offs. Manage them right and they won't be rookies by the time they get there. Did no one see OBJ tear his ACL (again)? Father time is undefeated. He will probably still be looking for a contract around Thanksgiving. Worry about whether you need him then.

For the first time in a long time I'm excited about the DL. The defense is poised to take a big step forward. I don't think I would ditch Lowry.

I also don't think I would ditch Jordan Love. The contract for #12 is frequently described as "year-to-year." In other words, we are going to have a little drama every March from here on out. No reason to dump Love right now.

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BuckyBadger's picture

May 13, 2022 at 01:41 pm

They drafted Slaton last year and Wyatt who is suppose to be pro ready this year. I think Lowry should be more than a little nervious with his cap number.

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PeteK's picture

May 13, 2022 at 04:53 pm

Until someone can get 42 tkls, 5 sacks, and 4 passes defended, he's safe, especially on passing downs. I'm confident that Wyatt and Green will easily surpass the 54 tkls and 3 sacks that Keke and Lancaster had last season.

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BuckyBadger's picture

May 13, 2022 at 01:38 pm

Looking at this roster the only worry I have is edge rusher. We have seen the Packers win with a group of no name WRs and there are many ways to make the passing game work when you have a HOF QB playing at a MVP level. If Gary or Preston go down the Packers won't be bring much of a pass rush. I know Walker can bring pressure or that is the hope but I agree that Edge Rusher is on Gute's to do list. I can see Lowry being et go to free up some cap space to stregthen the edge or possibly WR.

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BirdDogUni's picture

May 13, 2022 at 03:46 pm

We won the Super Bowl with Zombo and Jones at one OLBer spot, and a 2nd year player (CM3) at the other. I think our OLBers are much better than the last Super Bowl run.

I think Kobe Jones is better than Brad Jones right now, and I've never seen him play. : )

Kingsley Enagbare might also surprise us. Think he'd be easily as good as Zombo and he won't even have to start, like Zombo did.

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PeteK's picture

May 13, 2022 at 05:19 pm

Clay was a very special player, but Smith and Gary together are better. We also had Jenkins and Raji who combined for 13.5 sacks.

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BirdDogUni's picture

May 13, 2022 at 05:48 pm

I'm hoping KC and Wyatt or Slayton can do basically the same thing... : )

I loved CM3 and wanted TT to take him at #9 instead of Raji, after his showing at the combine. Little did I know TT would trade back into the 1st round for CM3...

Still think Gary is as good or will be better in the long run, even though I didn't think we would draft him at 12 overall. Gary wasn't even a consideration for me, and I was obviously wrong there. Lol

Defense should be pretty good this year. Can't wait to see how they deploy everyone.

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saltandpeppers's picture

May 13, 2022 at 01:44 pm

Wow, I hadn't realized how thin we are at CB. I'm jumping on the "Bring Kevin King Back" bandwagon!

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BirdDogUni's picture

May 13, 2022 at 03:49 pm

At vet min, I'm all for it. Anything more than that would probably be an overpay.

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GregC's picture

May 14, 2022 at 04:30 am

Yeah, King was decent last year, maybe because he stayed relatively healthy.

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bjkdad44's picture

May 14, 2022 at 05:49 pm

Nooooooo!!!!

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NJ-RICK's picture

May 13, 2022 at 03:12 pm

Release Lowry before June 1st and pick up some CAP space $$$$. Lowry is a one dimensional player horrible against the run. He played a little better last season ( Pass Rush) but not enough in my opinion to hold on to for another season. Maybe take a look at defensive back James Bradberry, who was just released by the Giants...? Do not sign OBJ the guy is a loser. Go Pack Go...!!!!!

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PatrickGB's picture

May 13, 2022 at 03:40 pm

Lowry has a mean bull rush. It’s his best (and maybe only) pass rush move. If our edge rush is not manned by Smith and Gary I can see the value of keeping Lowry. But then maybe there will be more inside pressure in general with the players we picked up FA and the draft. So if the team decides to release Lowry it won’t be until after TC. Sure, the team could save a few bucks releasing him, yet I think that the team can wait and see. Perhaps some better player gets released by another team and can be had cheaper or better provides help somewhere else.

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Coldworld's picture

May 13, 2022 at 06:51 pm

Lowry’s problem is not his rushing it’s other rushing through him

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greengold's picture

May 14, 2022 at 03:58 am

Yeah, I just don’t see Lowry staying due to cap savings. and I seriously do see Jonathan Ford.

Figure, Georgia’s D was so incredibly good because they were stout up front. Immovable in Run D, and had pass rush. Ford & Slaton make a great NT rotation and are explosive. Both are very similar to last year’s Christian Barmore. Practically twins. Both great value picks who deliver, and tough to move.

Thinking another 5T takes Lowry’s spot. Maybe UDFA Akial Byers. Byers is a good run player, but more powers into blockers to clog lanes, forcing RBs into others. Garbage man. Others get the stats. 34” arms.

Gutekunst loaded run stop. Seems Lowry is not reliable enough there, but maybe they like his pass rush, and hope his run defense improves with more solid players around him. Montgomery likes him.

Eh, Lowry had his best season last year. Everyone should be better with this much quality in the room.. Hope they keep 6 DL for true rotations.

Rams starting DE, A'Shawn Robinson, is better v. run, 67 TCKLS and has that 6-6 330 physical profile of Slayton & Ford. Lowry’s PR way better than Rams Robinson. Might keep both of Ford and Lowry.

Agree a vet FA CB would make a lot of sense. But, make sure he’s good. James Bradberry, recently released by NYG is not good. Gutekunst likes ascending talents, and Bradberry is the opposite. No wonder they released him.

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Coldworld's picture

May 14, 2022 at 08:54 am

In m mind it’s an option that the packers will entertain if there is a market they like and a need they think they can meet as a result that makes the team better. It could happen but it could also not.

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dobber's picture

May 14, 2022 at 10:04 am

"Eh, Lowry had his best season last year. Everyone should be better with this much quality in the room"

Compare the Packers 2021 front 7 to 2020 and the biggest change was behind Lowry, not next to him. Bottom line is that his usage and Gary's play on the other side made him better.

Not saying that Lowry's on the final 53, but they certainly seem set with their DL personnel. For a team that's scraping it together to make a run, he'll have to get outplayed in camp, and it won't be by a UDFA or Jack Heflin.

"Ford & Slaton make a great NT rotation and are explosive"

Then they'll have to wake something up in Ford that he wasn't in college.

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greengold's picture

May 14, 2022 at 11:18 am

Same exact things were said of Slaton last year.

Comparing Barmore’s stats, with Slaton’s far fewer, and they both were equally productive. Maybe edge to Slaton.

My point is, Ford is immovable in run D, and was drafted for his unique physical traits that make him more Pro- Ready, as Slaton was.

Size. Explosive quickness. Not for filling up a stat sheet.

As for Lowry, I’m tending to agree w you. Really, I’m thinking they keep 6 in Clark, Wynn, Reed, Slaton, Lowry, Ford.

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LLCHESTY's picture

May 15, 2022 at 02:59 am

Not sure how you compare Slaton to Barmore. One is a 3T that can also play 5T and had 48 pressures last year, the other is a NT that had trouble disengaging from blockers.

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Bure9620's picture

May 13, 2022 at 08:01 pm

You mean designate him as a POST June first cut? There is a difference of about $2 million in dead cap to carry.....

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mbpacker's picture

May 13, 2022 at 04:53 pm

Paul - Thanks for the report, you made many good points. As it is every year, a lot will depend on injuries and health of the team- who gets hurt and the timing. GPG!

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Cubbygold's picture

May 14, 2022 at 05:54 am

Anyone else concerned about the state of this TE group? My understanding is the MLF offense could really benefit from multiple weapons there and it seems like a lot of question marks

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Coldworld's picture

May 14, 2022 at 08:59 am

Not really. We can’t be strong everywhere. Tonyan will return at some point, I think they like Davis and are we really any worse than last year when Sternberger was our back up? Once Tonyan is back, probably no. He wasn’t that good most of the time before his injury last year, so admittedly not a high bar. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Gute churns this group again up to and including at cut downs. It’s something he’s good at and we saw that this week with a new prospect added.

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greengold's picture

May 14, 2022 at 10:27 am

Could easily see Gutekunst trading for a good TE before deadline, if need be.

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GregC's picture

May 14, 2022 at 10:29 am

Yeah, I'm concerned about it. Once Tonyan went down last year, the TEs added almost nothing to the passing game. Nobody was afraid of them. Deguara was the master of the one-yard gain, and Lewis is only occasionally useful as a receiver, almost as a novelty item to keep defenses honest. Tonyan is their best hope, but he was not having a good season before he went down last year, and he could take awhile to get back up to speed. Maybe Deguara was slowed by his knee injury from the previous year and will show a little spark this year. Tyler Davis is interesting. Maybe he could come out of nowhere and be a significant part of the offense, like Tonyan did a couple years ago. It all looks pretty shaky though.

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jont's picture

May 14, 2022 at 09:26 am

"Did the Packers do enough at the receiver position this offseason?"
No.
"Green Bay is going to need Rodgers to play the like a back-to-back MVP to elevate this group."
Yes.

Overall I am optimistic about the team this year and confident they'll reach the playoffs, probably with at least some home field, but you can't say they've gotten better offensively. An optimist can say the receiver corps is unproven, but more than this is more optimism than I can manage.

Watkins is entering his 9th year, and his best years are behind him. Injuries are catching up with him; over the past four years he's appeared in only one game more Randall Cobb-- the "oft injured Randall Cobb," as he's known on this board. It is risky to rely his availability.

This is a major drop at WR1, and the WR2 and WR3 spots are yet to be won. As much we like him, is Lazard anyone's preferred #2? Is there any reason to think Amari will make a jump?

What's realistic for the 2nd rounder Watson? About 44 catches, if history is any guide. This the average first year number for Adams (38), Cobb (25), Jennings (45), Sharpe (55), Watkins (65), and Nelson (33). We'll be happy if he goes on to a career like these guys, but we need to measure our expectations for his rookie year.

I think we'll see MLF calling more runs, the MVP throwing to TEs and backs a lot, and lower scoring games this season.

5 points
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greengold's picture

May 14, 2022 at 12:45 pm

Hey jont, Thinking all 3 rookies will surprise, as will Amari.

Landscape could change drastically with couple WRs here having bad camps, couple players there having great camps.

Could EASILY see Winfree, or maybe Gafford being a 53 survivor, as much as maybe Watkins not…

Doubs and Toure are both volume WRs. Watson would have been a volume WR in different offensive scheme. All 3 capable of putting up big yardage.

Agree, some competition strength stuff can enter into play. You’re right on that. However, I find the very idea, without confirmation, but as a possibility, that AR may have been brought in on the decision to trade up for CW, that changes a lot of rookie readiness dynamics for the better.

AR is the x-factor in rookie WR success this year. Same for Amari. (On some levels, this likely wouldn’t be an issue at all if Love were the starter. Have to admit that.

If he’s all-in with bringing these 3, along with Amari up to speed to the best of his abilities, I question the need for Watkins.

On, Lazard, I’m one of those guys who believes he’s going to explode for big yards this season, with those 3 rookies humming deep, pulling Safety help. Both Cobb & Lazard are card carrying members of the QB’s Best Friend Club.

Do you think LaFleur wants Gafford to succeed in his development for 4.22 JET work? I sure as hell do.

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pantz_bURp's picture

May 14, 2022 at 04:51 pm

Answer: What is Wisconsin?

$150 Million

Clue: State of the Packers Roster Following the Draft

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