Vikings' J.J. McCarthy, Raiders' Brock Bowers Impress NFL Fans in Preseason Debuts

The Minnesota Vikings and Las Vegas Raiders got a first look at their newest rookies during preseason action.

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy and Raiders tight end Brock Bowers each made their NFL preseason debuts on Saturday during the Vikings' 24-23 comeback win.

McCarthy eventually shone, but got off to a rough start in his first preseason appearance with an interception on his first drive of the game.

Jack Jones pulled in McCarthy's misdirected pass to covered Minnesota wide receiver Trishton Jackson.

McCarthy bounced back in the third quarter with a 45-yard touchdown pass to Jackson.

McCarthy then added another score on a 33-yard pass to Trent Sherfield.

McCarthy finished his preseason debut having recorded 11-of-17 passing for 188 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also added two rushes for 18 yards.

The quarterback's two touchdown passes were more than impressive enough for Vikings fans to forgive his earlier pick.

Some fans even questioned if McCarthy could challenge six-season Sam Darnold for the role of first-string quarterback by the start of the season.

Bowers meanwhile meanwhile caught both of his two targets on Saturday to record 25 yards in his NFL debut.

The first catch of his Raiders career earned his team a first down on a drive that ended in a field goal.

Bowers was listed in the first tier of the Raiders' first unofficial depth chart alongside second-year tight end Michael Mayer.

His debut led some Raiders fans to conclude the rookie belonged at the top of the depth chart, and that Las Vegas had found a future NFL star in the draft.

McCarthy and the Vikings return to preseason action next Saturday against the Cleveland Browns, while Bowers and the Raiders resume play the same day against the Dallas Cowboys.