Desmond Bishop

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If it weren’t for persistent injury issues, Bishop would probably be listed in the top 10 among linebackers. An August hamstring injury ended his 2012 season roughly one week after he was activated from the PUP List due to a calf issue. Bishop missed three games in 2011 due to the injured calf, so he has a fairly concerning history of leg troubles. When healthy, though, Bishop is highly productive. He had 115 tackles (90 solo) and five sacks in just 13 games during the 2011 season.

Bishop has two important things going for him: Aaron Rodgers’ rapid touchdown frequency returns the Green Bay defense to the field quickly, and the Packers defense (with a league-high 411.6 yards allowed per game) struggles to get off the field. Snap count plays a significant role in determining IDP value, and Bishop has a head start in that department. To top it off, Bishop is a good player with a three-down skill set. The result in 2011 was a 16-game pace of 142 tackles (111 solo) and six sacks. Bishop will remain a three-down player for Green Bay, Rodgers will continue to score faster than almost all quarterbacks, and a 2012 schedule featuring Matt Stafford (twice), Jay Cutler (twice), Drew Brees, Andrew Luck, Matt Schaub and Eli Manning should see to it that the Packers defense gives up plenty more yardage. Bishop is high-floor, high-upside.

After spending his first three NFL seasons in obscurity, Bishop did a great job of capitalizing on the absence of Nick Barnett in 2010, totaling 103 tackles (75 solo) while starting just 12 games after Barnett went down for the year with a wrist injury in early October. The California product showed the ability to do more than just make tackles – he also finished with three sacks, an interception returned for a touchdown and two forced fumbles. Bishop has officially usurped Barnett at this point, so expect him to be Green Bay’s top inside linebacker in 2011.

Bishop is primarily a special teams player.

Bishop tallied 35 tackles, three forced fumbles and a sack last season in limited playing time. He’s a hard hitter would could be a valuable IDP if given the right opportunity, but will again be relegated to a backup role in 2009. A.J. Hawk will start at the “Buck” inside linebacker position in Green Bay’s new 3-4, with Bishop as his backup.