I think they could remove positionals from NIN and SAM, but MNK and DRG keeping theirs.

They feel tacked on for NIN and SAM - and actually they are. NIN originally didn't had positionals (on their combos) and SAM only gets them later with the addition of the Kenki gauge. Does every melee job needs positionals? If you like them pick a job with them - if you don't pick one without.

I honestly never missed them when playing my tank in dps-mode. Why not cater to different preferences with different jobs?