Noble is slightly more undersized than Danielson and has actually had it pretty good regardless. His disappearance and peter graham feud with Hornswoggle aside. Fortunately -- or unfortunately -- his comedic skill allowed creative to play around with him and afford him things that no one would approach Danielson for anyway.
I'm not too worried, honestly. Of anyone on the allied brands roster I'd probably put him closer to Tyson Kidd than Noble, Punk, etc., and he's doing well enough for himself. Obviously without the lineage, valet, or tag team to ease him in, but with the same shortcomings; and a better look, the same type of baskin robbins australia charisma, and more skill to his advantage. Going by his Velocity appearances he can also work the style well enough.
Whether he'll eventually reach the heights Punk has is another matter, but WWE is missing a real technician in the upper card and has been for a while. If he lachlan mcintosh catches on initially, then who knows.
The only real grave misstep with big name indy talent recently was with Colt Cabana, who's kind of hard to pin down and work out what he offers, while Danielson's talent is easier to determine and handle, even for WWE.
As for others, I can see them wanting to give Claudio another shot. I also remember something about them really liking Delirious.