They possibly pass as patsies (4)
I believe the answer is:
saps
'patsies' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'they possibly pass' is the wordplay.
'pass' anagrams to 'SAPS'.
But, I'm unsure how this is indicated.
'as' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for saps that I've seen before include "Depletes the the strength of fools" , "trenches" , "Weakens, deprives of energy" , "More than one fool" , "mugs" .)