Even though the New England Patriots do not pick until the top of the third round in the 2017 NFL Draft, the team is still devoting resources to scouting surefire first-round players.

According to ProFootballTalk, the Patriots held a private workout with former Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett, widely considered to be one of the best edge defenders available. Barnett has also worked out for the Titans, Saints and Bengals.

The Patriots have few holes on the team, but there is little depth behind Trey Flowers. The team acquired Kony Ealy from the Panthers via trade, but the three-year veteran will hit free agency after the 2017 season. The 33-year-old Rob Ninkovich is also playing on an expiring contract.

Barnett amassed 33 sacks over the past three seasons at Tennessee.

A month ago, NFL.com scout Bucky Brooks said Barnett might be the draft’s best pass rusher.

“He’s not going to run a fast 40, but if you like tough, violent, high-motor players with production, you’ll love him,” one AFC executive told Brooks. “He kind of reminds me of a young Terrell Suggs coming out of Arizona State.”

Barnett will not fall to the Pats at No. 72, but could become a target if the team moves into the first round via a trade of Malcolm Butler or Jimmy Garoppolo.

• Cornerback Richard Sherman said there is “very little chance” he would be traded from Seattle, according to reports.

One day after The Boston Herald reported that there was “some interest” in Sherman from the Patriots, CSN New England reported Thursday that the Patriots are “not interested in trading for him.”

Sherman was seen as possible insurance if Malcolm Butler was traded.

Despite a base salary of $11 million over the next two seasons, Sherman was a potential upgrade to the Patriots secondary.

• LeGarrette Blount posted a career year in 2016, but the free agent running back hasn’t signed a contract four weeks into the 2017 free agency period.

He voiced his frustration after watching LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers defeat the Boston Celtics Wednesday night in Boston.

“See, tell them I still got it,” Blount told reporters after the game.

“Give me some money.”

Blount ran for a 1,161 yards and a league-leading 18 touchdowns – both career-highs – for New England in 2016. However, the market for running backs is soft and Blount is feeling the effects.

Blount’s statement came just three days after the Patriots hosted free agent running back Adrian Peterson.

No deal is imminent between the Patriots and Peterson, but the presence of Peterson might have prompted Blount’s comments.

Blount has said he would like to re-sign with the Patriots, but he wants a raise.

The team reportedly has interest in Blount’s returning, but at a price agreeable to both parties.

Blount sat courtside at the Cavaliers-Celtics game, just a few seats away from Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who also attended the basketball game. Kraft walked over to Blount and gave him a hug.

RAVENS: Restricted free agent wide receiver Michael Campanaro signed a one-year deal that could be worth as much as $2 million, according to sources.

The deal replaces the $1.79 million original-round restricted free-agent tender and opens up about $600,000 in salary cap space. The new deal includes a $250,000 signing bonus, a $250,000 53-man roster bonus and other incentives.

Campanaro, who was a seventh-round pick by the Ravens in 2014, re-signed with the Ravens last November after the two sides reached an injury settlement earlier in the year.

CARDINALS: Authorities say Arizona wide receiver Marquis Bundy was arrested outside a Scottsdale nightclub on suspicion of disorderly conduct and failure to obey police commands.

Scottsdale police say the 22-year-old Bundy was acting disorderly toward the International’s security staff about 2:45 a.m. Saturday.

Police say Bundy told officers that his hat was missing or stolen from the club and he wanted to speak with somebody about it.

When told by club security guards that they had not seen his hat, Bundy reportedly got agitated and would not leave the scene, leading to his arrest.

In a statement, officials from the Cardinals said they’re aware of the incident and the matter has been referred to the NFL offices.

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