the strongest position group of the 2015 NFL Draft is the pass rushers, including in the top 10 where notable prospects like Dante Fowler Jr., Vic Beasley and Randy Gregory are hoping to land. Missouri defensive end Shane Ray is also in that mix and his pro day Thursday might be the most important work out of the pre-draft process.

Ray, who measured at 6-feet-3 and 245 pounds at the Scouting Combine last month, was unable to run or perform any drills in Indianapolis due to a foot injury, but he is close to 100 percent now and plans to perform a full workout for the scouts and coaches in attendance at Missouri’s pro day. NFL teams know about his quickness off the edge, but how he looks standing up in space will be the key to his draft projection.

Five storylines to watch this week on the pro day schedule.

5. Cal combine snub Chris Harper hopes to create buzz (March 17).

A surprise addition to the 2015 NFL Draft class, Harper left California early for the pros and the wide receiver was a curious omission from the Combine invitation list. He was one of the Bears’ top receivers the past three years, finishing the 2014 season with 52 receptions for 634 yards and six touchdowns. Currently rated as the No. 48 wide receiver in this class according to NFLDraftScout.com, Harper lacks ideal size and speed, but he has promising game film and if he’s able to produce positive results during agility drills, it will certainly help his chances of getting drafted.

4. Jay Ajayi continues push for first-round consideration (March 18)

Game film? Outstanding. Combine performance? Terrific. And an impressive showing at Boise State’s pro day could be the first-round trifecta for the running back, who has already created positive momentum around the league. After finishing among the best at his position in the vertical (39 inches), short shuttle (4.10 seconds) and other drills, he is expected to stand on his Combine numbers, but is expected to go through the positional drills for scouts in attendance at Boise State’s pro day. Georgia’s Todd Gurley and Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon are generally the two running backs mentioned, but it’s tough to find holes in Ajayi’s game and with his complete skill set, it’s possible he could break into the top 32 picks.

3. In weak QB class, Chris Bonner is a name worth knowing (March 19)

San Diego State has a few players worth checking out at its pro day, including wide receiver Ezell Ruffin. But the main attraction is Colorado State-Pueblo quarterback Chris Bonner, this year’s top sleeper at the position. He looks the part (6-6, 230) and has the arm to make every NFL throw, something he showed at Colorado’s pro day last week. Bonner, who led the ThunderWolves to the Division II national championship last season, has a lot of appealing traits, in the mold of a Mike Glennon type of passer. Instead of over-drafting a quarterback in this year’s weak class, Bonner in the later rounds would provide much better value.

2. Bryce Petty makes case to be No. 3 QB in draft class (March 18)

So far, it has been an up-and-down pre-draft process for Petty after mixed performances at the Senior Bowl and Combine. The Bears’ pro day gives him a chance to make a lasting impression for pro scouts who are worried about Petty’s transition from Art Briles’ spread shotgun offense to an under-center attack in the NFL. He has been working with quarterback guru George Whitfield since his sophomore season so it’s likely we’ll see garbage cans, broom sticks and other inanimate objects in Waco during his passing session, but NFL teams will focus mostly on Petty’s footwork and timing on downfield throws.

1. Shane Ray tries to cement himself as a top-10 pick (March 19)

The award of “best first step quickness” among pass rushers in this class belongs to Ray, who set school records with 22.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks last season. Although he has the resume, there are some concerns about his ability to play in space, making him more of a one-trick pony.

A foot injury kept Ray from participating at the Combine, but he is now close to full health and expects to perform every drill at the Tigers’ pro day, which will help answer several of the questions about his pro transition. NFL teams are expected to put him through linebacker drills and positive results will make him a more realistic possibility for top 10 teams who utilize a 3-4 defensive scheme. Ray will be a first-round pick on April 30, but his pro day performance could determine whether it’s in the top or bottom half.

–Dane Brugler is an analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, a property of The Sports Xchange distributed in partnership with CBSSports.com.