To me this is as much about need as anything.
I think Merling needs to be moved outside to linebacker.
I think Kendall Langford may have potential but he hasn't shown if very consistently at all. I looked for him to take a big step up this year and he basically flashed some great ability at the beginning of the year and the end of the year and was sort of OK in between. This is not a position where "OK" is acceptable, too much at stake on the position in a 3-4 defense.
Any of the three guys, between Merling, Langford and McDaniel, are definitely trade bait.
Hence, it's not a position you eliminate.