Saquon Barkley: I'm more than a running back

Saquon Barkley says there's justification for teams to select elite running backs very early in the NFL draft - as the New York Giants did by taking him No. 2 overall last month - due to their versatility on the field.

"(I'm) more than a running back. Completely more than a running back. That is why when people try and put the 'Why should a running back go that high?' Obviously, you look at the past three years and the position of the running backs and what the (Ezekiel Elliotts) and the Le'Veon (Bell)s have been able to do, they are more than a running back," Barkley said during his media availability at Giants rookie minicamp.

"I look at myself as more than a running back. I am not a guy that just lines up in the backfield and is going to bang his head, bang his head, bang his head. I am a guy that is willing to do anything for this team. Whether it be a kick returner or a punt returner, running down on kickoffs, lining up in the slot, running a dummy play, or a fake play, whatever it takes."

During his three-year college career at Penn State, Barkley recorded 43 rushing touchdowns and eight receiving scores, adding two kickoff returns for touchdowns in his final season.

He envisions himself as a similar do-everything threat in the NFL.

"I want to be an athlete, not just a running back," Barkley said. "Obviously, I play the running back position but I want to be an all-around guy and an all-around player."