Mel Kiper is “surprised” the Las Vegas Raiders did not select Dallas Turner with their first-round pick and chose Brock Bowers at No. 13 overall. On ESPN’s First Draft, Kiper explained why the Raiders should have gone with Turner instead of the former Georgia Bulldogs tight end.

“I love Brock Bowers. I was a little surprised that they didn’t take Dallas Turner,” Kiper said. “Dallas Turner slipped through the cracks. Dallas Turner’s grade was right there with Brock Bowers. I had Brock Bowers at seven, Dallas Turner at nine, but they had the same grade on the big board. I gave Brock a slight edge.”

“I thought they could have gone pass rusher there, Kiper added. “They have [Michael] Mayer who showed promise. Brock Bowers not getting a Dallas Turner. They really didn’t get anybody off the edge for the rest of that draft.”

For the 2023 season, the Raiders finished 46 sacks which is right in the middle of the pack when it comes to the all NFL teams. The team has a premiere pass rusher in Maxx Crosby who recorded 14.5 sacks and 31 QB hits last season. Turner, who played college football at Alabama, was considered one of the top pass rushers in the draft and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings at No. 17.

Brock Bowers was ‘shocked’ to be drafted by Raiders

Bowers had a stellar career at Georgia, winning two national championships and the John Mackey Award twice. During his introductory press conference, Bowers told reporters that he didn’t believe the Raiders would draft him.

“I was shocked,” Bowers said, per the Raiders’ official website. “I wasn’t really totally sure what was happening, but when that call came up and it said Las Vegas, Nevada, I was juiced.”

Bowers also talked about playing multiple positions when he was at Georgia. “I feel like I can be used in a multitude of ways,” Bowers said. “At Georgia, I was moved all around. They put me in the backfield sometimes, tight end, slot, outside receiver. So, I feel like versatility is a big part of my game and I’m just excited to see what’s in store for this next year.”

Bowers will join a Raiders team that finished with an 8-9 record last year. In January, the team hired Antonio Pierce as its head coach after going 5-4 as the interim head coach in 2023.