ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Bradley Chubb spoke with the Broncos just once during the entirety of the pre-draft evaluation process.

And that was enough.

When Chubb slipped past the Cleveland Browns at the fourth-overall pick, the Broncos jumped at the chance to draft the talented pass rusher from NC State.

"I met with them one time at the Combine, and we didn't really talk about my fit [with the team]," Chubb said Thursday after being drafted. "We looked at some of my plays from the season and I was running through what I did and what my responsibility was and all of that. It was a surprise, but I'm thrilled to be there because like I said, I'm ready to do my thing."

In college, his "thing" was taking down opposing quarterbacks and running backs. He totaled 10 sacks and more than 20 tackles for loss in each of his previous two seasons with the Wolfpack.

That's what led President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway and Head Coach Vance Joseph — who considered Chubb the best defensive prospect in the draft — to select him to join Denver's defense.

When that moment arrived, the surprise quickly gave way to emotion.

"I had the phone on the table," Chubb said. "I didn't even have to look at it, and I saw a Denver number pop up and I was like, 'This is it.' It was just a great moment with all of my family as I was on the phone. It was a great moment and a lot of emotions came out. Mom and Dad started crying, and I tried to hold it together."

Once on the football field, the 21-year-old prospect should be a versatile player within the Broncos' scheme. Chubb said he's comfortable playing from both a stand-up position and three-point stance — and he said he should be able to contribute as soon as he arrives in Denver.

"I expect to come in and contribute right away," Chubb said. "If that's starting or coming off the sideline, I'm going to contribute either way. The end goal for me is definitely for me to be a starter. Like I said, I'm ready to contribute in any way I can."