The Broncos took a chance. Brandon Stokley took a chance.

And if things work like each hope, both sides will be happy when the 2007 season is said and done.

"I think when you look at it, that's why you do a 1-year deal,'' said one of Stokley's agents, Mark Bartelstein. "He gets one year in a great offense, they get one year with one of the best slot receivers in football. And then next year he's in the market or they can see where they are at.''

Which is why the Broncos were able to agree to terms with the veteran receiver Tuesday on a one-year contract worth over $1 million. Stokley's deal will also have a host of performance incentives that could boost his salary significantly, including playing time and catches.

Stokley had also visited the New Orleans Saints since free agency opened March 2.

The Broncos, who met with Stokley last week, were looking for some help at receiver given Rod Smith's recent hip surgery.

Stokley is still recovering from a ruptured right Achilles tendon he suffered this past season. The 30-year-old also missed six games in '06 with a sprained left knee and had missed a significant part of last summer's training camp with a sprained left ankle.

He finished this past season with eight catches for 85 yards and a touchdown.

"But he's ahead of schedule,'' Bartelstein said. "He's on track to be ready to go by the time they get to camp. He's not going to be running for a bit yet, but all indications are he'll be ready.''

Stokley spent the last four seasons with the Colts with his best year coming in 2004 when he had 68 receptions for 1,077 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has also played four seasons with Baltimore, earning the first of his two Super Bowl rings in 2000 with the Ravens.

With Javon Walker and Brandon Marshall expected, at least before the Broncos dive into next month's draft, expected to the be the team's starting receivers, the team's No. 3 spot was in limbo with Smith's recovery. Smith had arthroscopic surgery on his hip just after the season and was still using crutches in recent days.

The veteran is expected to miss about four months of the offseason program in all, but the Broncos believe he could be ready to go in training camp. However, at this point, Stokley and Smith are not expected to take part in the team's passing camp in May or the June minicamp.

legwoldj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2359