INDIANAPOLIS -- The Browns' new power trio of Joe Banner, Mike Lombardi and Rob Chudzinski will kick off their first NFL Combine on Thursday, and by the time it's over, they'll have a better idea of whom they'll draft with the sixth pick in the draft's first round in April.

This year, the first-rounder is more crucial because they don't have a second-round pick, having spent that to select receiver Josh Gordon in the 2012 supplemental draft.

The new group heads into the combine looking for competition for Brandon Weeden at quarterback, a starting cornerback to pair with Joe Haden, a pass-rusher to power Ray Horton's 3-4 defense and a host of other positions. While in Indianapolis, they'll also meet with the agents for some of their own free agents and plan their strategy for when the market opens March 12.

A look at six players the Browns will most likely take a long, hard look at here at the combine:

1. West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith: Some draft experts, including the NFL Network's Mike Mayock and ESPN's Mel Kiper, don't think Smith or USC's Matt Barkley warrant a top-10 pick. But don't tell Smith, who thinks he could go as high as No. 1 to Kansas City and their new coach, Andy Reid.

"My goal is to be picked No. 1 overall but at the same time, wherever I get picked I'm going to come in with the same mentality, same goals in mind, so I'm not really worried about what anyone says because everyone has an opinion," Smith told KCSP in Kansas City this week.

In 2012, Smith passed for 4,205 yards, completed 71.2 percent of his attempts and threw for 42 touchdowns against six interceptions. He ran a spread offense out of the shotgun, but did play under center as a sophomore. He seemed to regress throughout the 2012 season, but coaches and scouts love his arm strength, fast delivery, work ethic and athleticism.

But Mayock said on a nfl.com podcast that "there's a lot of things that make me nervous about him. He misses people by wide margins for no reason. I see a little bit of hesitancy with the blitz. When that first read is not there, it's not as pretty on the second or third read. His eyes come down. He makes mistakes."

Will he be available at No. 6? Do the Browns view him as a franchise quarterback?

2. USC quarterback Matt Barkley: Barkley won't throw here because of a separated shoulder, but have the Browns seen enough to take a chance on him? If Barkley had come out last season, some experts, including Kiper, believe he would've gone to the Browns at No. 4. His stock has slipped, but what do they think of him now?

"He's a pure passer. He's an accurate passer. He doesn't have a great arm, but he's got certainly good enough arm strength in the right situation," said Kiper on a conference call. "It certainly wouldn't be a cold-weather environment. It would be more of a dome environment or a warmer weather environment like Arizona. ... He's definitely dedicated."

Like Smith, Barkley (6-2, 230) thinks he should be the first player off the board.

"Geno should think he should be the No. 1 pick like I think I should be No. 1," he told USA Today. "I don't have any doubts in my mind where I want to be. I know I can be a franchise, winning quarterback."

Barkley has good mobility and has run a pro-style offense. He's also started for four seasons.

3. Georgia outside linebacker Jarvis Jones: Some analysts, including Mayock, think Jones would be the perfect edge-rusher for Horton's multi-front scheme. But will the Browns take a risk on a player diagnosed with stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal column? In 2010, USC wouldn't let him back on the field after a neck injury, and he transferred to Georgia.

Last season, Jones led the nation in sacks (school-record 14.5), tackles for loss (school-record 24.5) and forced fumbles (7). His coach, Mark Richt, ventured that he was the best defender in the country.

"He's explosive," said Mayock. "He's tough. He's a playmaker. He fits in the 4-3, but some of the 3-4 teams will see him and say, 'Yes, he can play in what we do. His talent is commensurate with the No. 6 pick.'"

Jones (6-3, 241) could be the perfect anchor for Horton's attack-minded scheme if the Browns medical staff gives him the green light.

4. Texas A&M defensive end/linebacker Damontre Moore: He has experience in both 4-3 and 3-4 fronts. Some consider him the best pass-rusher in this draft. Others aren't so sure.

"He does everything pretty well in the passing game, but I don't see that elite quick-twitch burst and I also don't see a great run defender," said Mayock. "I think he's average against the run at best. I like him later in the first round, not the top 10."

Moore (6-4, 250) finished 2012 with 85 tackles, 21 for a loss and 12.5 sacks. With the Browns, he'd most likely play outside linebacker, but could also play end. At A&M, he followed in the footsteps of 2011 No. 2 overall pick Von Miller of the Broncos.

5. Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner: The Browns need a starter opposite Joe Haden to replace free agent Sheldon Brown, and Milliner could be their man. The premier cornerback in the draft, Milliner played for former Browns defensive coordinator Nick Saban at Alabama, meaning he's pro ready.

"I love him as a player, love him on tape, but I think he's more like the 20th pick in the draft if I had to put a number on him," said Mayock. "However, if he runs sub-4.5, I think he's going to be a top-10 pick."

Milliner's career-high in interceptions was three in 2011. He had two in 2012, and was a first-team All-American and unanimous All-SEC first-team pick. Some think he could be the only corner picked in the first round.

6. Brigham Young outside linebacker Ziggy Ansah: The 6-6, 270-pound Cougar captured the attention of scouts and coaches with a sensational Senior Bowl.

"He might have been the best football player on the field," said Mayock. "I don't think there's anybody that doesn't think in the NFL that he's going to be a real good player, but the question is when? Is it going to be this year, next year or three years from now?"

Mayock said Ansah is so gifted that "teams are looking at him as a 3-4 outside linebacker while other teams are saying with that frame he could be 290 and be a 3-4 defensive end. So it's kind of interesting. It goes to his unbelievable athletic ability and huge frame.

"I'm willing to bet on the kid, and I think he's going to go earlier than later. I really think he's going to become a good player."

On Twitter: @marykaycabot