Welcome folks to the Niche Cache NRL Diggity Depth Swoop. Simply put, we'll rank the NRL's players and put them in to levels. Some guys might not make the list, probably because they haven't played enough games this year and it's all about this year. I don't care what they done did last year or the year before or what their gonna do next year, this year, 2014.

We'll get in to it with the fullbacks. Fullback play has changed a bit over the years and we're seeing a group of fullbacks who all offer something slightly different, whether it be slick passing, dynamic running, a mediocre combination of both or just some out and out x-factor. Here's what I reckon.

Top Dogs

Billy Slater - He was one of Queensland's best in State of Origin and has shown with Melbourne that he's still a force to be reckoned with. A great passer, but more importantly he's a fantastic runner of the ball which enables him to create overlaps from even situations and he can simply make defenders look dumb.

Jarryd Hayne - Similar to Slater except Hayne's Origin performance won NSW that game. Hayne has been the benefactor of an Eels forward pack who have been able to go forward and give Hayne quality ball. We're seeing that when Hayne is running the ball, he's back to his athletic, powerful self where he's pretty freakin' hard to tackle and we're also seeing him set up many tries for his outside men. 

Greg Inglis - So far this season, G.I. is just below Slater and Hayne but definitely in the top dog category. Inglis is a physical beast who for last season and much of this season has looked like the king of Redfern - he's the leader and much of his leading is done by actions. He never takes a shitty hit up, nor does he switch off on defence ... never. Combine his physical gifts with this Lebron James mentality and you've got a top dog.

Brett Stewart - This held me up over the line for a minute or two. Is the Snake really a top dog? Hmmm, in the end it was clear that yes he is. Stewart continues to impress with his ability to score and adapt to his surroundings, which has been his key this season. Manly's had a fair turn over of players recently but Stewart continues to shine and we've all witnessed the range of skills that he has. At the end of the day, Manly are again one of the best teams and Stewart is once again, leading them and playing a key role along with the other guns they have.

The Almost Theres

Sam Tomkins - Tomkins started off slowly but is finding his feet at the NRL level pretty swiftly. It's easy to see why he drew comparisons to Slater and in time I reckon he'll be up their in the top dog group. It's hard to expect much else from Tomkins, he could be much more consistent but it's his first season in the NRL and we've already seen many, many glimpses of what he can do.

Matt Moylan - The Panthers simply wouldn't be where they are without the work of this kid. They've got a team full of solid battlers and Moylan adds touches of class to the set plays that Ivan Cleary has drawn up. He appears to be a good kid who's got some maturity and understands that he's got a long way to go, but he's done enough to be one of the best players of 2014 ... so far.

Anthony Milford - As we've seen a few times this season, Milford can change the outcome of a game by himself. He doesn't have the support of his team in the same way Moylan does, but his footballin' ability always seems to shine through. Probably not as well rounded as Moylan is, except he's got the game breaking ability that will see him become one of the best.

Anthony Minichello - The Count hardly plays a bad game and does what needs to be done, which in a very talented Roosters side is just what the doctor ordered. He doesn't quite have the flair of a few other fullbacks, but given that Roger Tuivasa-Sheck slips in to fullback when the Roosters are attacking, Minichello has earned his place here by being extremely solid.

Josh Dugan - Is he now a centre or still a fullback? Who knows, I think when it comes to crunch time Dugan will be put to fullback but really, who knows. For this though, he'll be called a fullback which makes it tough because I'll be judging him as a fullback on his play at ... centre. Oh well, the guy is still showing he's pretty hard to tackle and he's got some pretty fine play makers helping him out so hopefully he can play off them some more in a #1 jersey.

Good, but meh

Darius Boyd - Granted, it's been a tough year for Boyd. But judging him on this season in the #1 jersey for Newcastle has been underwhelming. He's always been alright, when everything's delivered on a platter but Boyd hasn't shown the ability to create like the many guys above.

James Tedesco - He's shown what he's capable of, but his body needs to back him up. You're no use to anyone sitting on the sideline.

Michael Morgan - I honestly reckon that the Cowboys are better off with Morgan at fullback instead of recruit Lachlan Coote. Morgan's got the skills of a half, running game and size of a centre but needs to consistently impact the outcome of games. If he can't do that, then he needs to at least release some of the pressure on Jonathan Thurston. 

Ben Barba - We simply haven't seen the goods from Barba, let alone seen them consistently.

Battlers

The rotating Bulldogs spot - This isn't really a negative as the Bulldogs have shown that it doesn't really matter who is playing fullback. They don't need a top fullback to be dangerous and most of their fullbacks - Sam Perrett and Mitch Brown are wingers so hats off to them, the rest of the Bulldogs and Des Hasler for making us rethink the importance of a fullback.

The rotating Titans spot - With the Titans, it's a negative. They simple don't have anyone who strikes fear in to the opposition let alone be a threat, let alone someone who really wants to make that spot their own.

Michael Gordon -  Meh.