Boogie Basham's rookie season has been known more for his time off the field than what we've seen on it.

"Definitely some ups and downs," Basham said. "It's always just learning from guys around me. Definitely when I'm not playing and inactive, it's also just learning from the sidelines as well. How the coaches coach. What guys are seeing. Sometimes they ask me what I'm seeing, so it's more of us working together. Even though I'm not playing, I'm out there still helping the guys out."

It's been a surprising start to Basham's NFL career, a healthy scratch for eight of the Bills 14 games this season.

"Sometimes a reality check," Basham said. "They know more than what I do, so I'm just sitting here saying 'My time will come.' Just keep getting ready for practices, especially during the week. Just keep going and going. I probably find out I'm not playing that Thursday, so I still have Thursday and Friday to practice. So just keeping myself going and bettering myself for next week and opportunity."

Not playing has been more of a mental challenge for Basham than anything else after seeing the field in 42 games over 4 years at Wake Forest.

"For me, I'd say I'm a competitor," Basham said. "I always want to be out there. I always want to be playing. So for me the challenge was can I still be myself when I'm not playing? Just keeping my same energy, being the same around the guys even when I'm not playing. That was a challenge for me for a little bit at the beginning of the season. But as the season's gotten longer, still being inactive and inactive, some of the guys were helping me. Just keep it up. Keep doing what you're doing. You're doing good. Your time is coming. So that's more my thing, just kept going and going and not looking back at it."

Basham credits Jerry Hughes, Mario Addison, and Efe Obada for being veterans who have encouraged him throughout his first year in the league, noting they went through similar situations.

Still, expectations are high for a 2nd round pick and Basham's limited playing time has opened the door for outside criticism.

"Outside noise, I've never really paid attention to it," Basham said. "I got a good head on myself. I know what's going on inside the building rather than people who don't know anything. So being a second round pick, I come in and everybody can play. So just coming in, still got to work. Just because I'm a second rounder doesn't mean they're going to give it to me. So that's how I look at it."

Basham said the Bills coaching staff has been impressed with his ability to learn the defense, especially at multiple positions along the defensive line.

That position flexibility also comes with some drawbacks as a young player breaking into the league, adding extra things onto Basham's plate.

"Sometimes when you're out there you may hear a call at one position, you may run it at a different position," Basham said. "Sometimes you might just mix yourself up. So when you're out there you need to just clear your mind, figure out exactly where you're playing, and do what you need to do."

Basham admits his more natural fit is playing defensive end because that's where he has spent the most time throughout his playing career.

So beyond just learning the X's and O's of different positions, there's also the challenge of attacking the interior differently than the edge.

"Inside your technique happens a lot faster just because you're closer to the guys," Basham explained. "On the outside you have a little more time and a little bit more spacing to get it done. So I would say the technique is the same, just the speed of how you got to do it."

Overall, Basham has 16 tackles and 1.5 sacks in the 6 games he has played his rookie season. He has added 3 tackles for a loss, 2 quarterback hits, 5 pressures, and 3 hurries according to Pro Football Reference.

It is a small sample size, but one Basham has worked to make the most of.

"Every opportunity I get to go out on the field, I feel like I want to play as best as I can," Basham said. "Every game I play, I feel like I want to play the best I can so I can stay active. Even if I'm active the first week, active the next and active another one, every time I get to put the jersey on I just want to play as hard as I can."