As the 2023 season draws to a close, let’s take a look at who in the NFC North is trading higher and lower.

Be Ready

Sam-Ra St. Brown, wide receiver for the Detroit Lions: In addition to becoming one of quarterback Jared Goff’s favorite targets, St. Brown is developing into one of the NFL’s top young wide receivers. St. Brown is well on his approach to surpassing his career-bests in receptions (106), yards (1,1161), and touchdowns (six) after concluding 2022.

St. Brown, who has only played in seven games, is fourth in receptions (57) and sixth in yards (665) through eight weeks. By Week 9, the 24-year-old had surpassed 100 receiving yards in three straight games, indicating that he is also starting to heat up. During that time, he has recorded 31 receptions for 334 yards and a score.

Outside of the locker room, St. Brown is drawing attention and inspiring outrageous analogies from his quarterback.

In the weight room and on the field, “the way that he is, are very similar to my experience with Aaron Donald,” Goff remarked to ESPN’s Eric Woodyard. It is business, business, business, like that. He puts in more work than everyone else.”

Danielle Hunter, Minnesota Vikings defensive end: The three-time Pro Bowler has been on a tear nearing the midway point of the season. After posting 18 tackles, five sacks and two forced fumbles, he was named Defensive Player of the Month for October. However, Hunter has been producing all season long for the Vikings.

Hunter leads the NFL in sacks (10) and tackles for loss (11). Meanwhile, his three forced fumbles are second to only Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett, who has four.

The 29-year-old’s performance thus far has seriously upped the asking price for his services long term. Hunter is set to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and can’t be franchise-tagged.

Rashan Gary, Green Bay Packers edge rusher: One of the bright spots in an otherwise dim season for the Packers, Gary has shined in his fifth year. So much so that the team locked him up, inking Gary to a four-year, $107 million extension recently.

Gary appears to be moving more freely than ever after sustaining an ACL tear in 2022. He has exhibited no negative repercussions from the injury. Gary has recorded 4.5 sacks, 19 hurries, and 28 pressures in just three starts throughout his first seven games. Through eight weeks, only Garrett (26.3) has outperformed Gary (25.2) in terms of win percentage against opposing blockers.

Low Stock

Quarterback Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers: Love has not fared well in his debut season as the Packers’ uncontested starter. Although it’s not entirely Love’s fault, Green Bay has the 25th-ranked offense in the NFL (287 YPG), and his performance hasn’t helped much either.

Love posted a 118.7 passer rating through Week 1 and 2, throwing six touchdowns with zero interceptions, but his game has taken a steep decline since. Over the last five games, Love has a 66.6 passer rating with five touchdowns and eight interceptions. Through eight weeks, only Las Vegas Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolo (nine) has thrown more interceptions than Love’s eight. Meanwhile, Love ranks 25th in yards per attempt (6.4), 27th in passer rating (78.2) and last in completion percentage (57.7) among 31 qualified QBs.