State of Dragoon?

[Bourne_Endeavor]

DRG is arguably the best melee in the game at the moment due to how hilariously powerful piercing is for range DPS. And you will find very few BRDs or MCHs willing to run Savage without a DRG. In fact, it's currently the second most popular job if FFlog uploads are anything to go by. Put simply, it's very comfy in its meta spot.

As for SAM. While it's in a much better spot nowadays, it still doesn't quite match the utility NIN offers. That being said, it's a viable option—more so in Alphascape than in any previous tier. DRK is in an odd position. It actually boasts the strongest overall damage but simply lacks the tools to take advantage of it. Furthermore, with no party support abilities, easily the most cumbersome immunity and a spam-happy playstyle, it simply isn't popular nor does it do anything Paladin and Warrior don't do better. The sole exception is direct mitigation tools. DRK does excel here, especially in a magic heavy fight. Dark Mind is borderline broken in certain fights and TBN gives it a near on-demand Rampart. Unfortunately, they just aren't enough to offset how Cover, Shake it Off, Passage, Divine Veil and Holmgang are.