Jack and Steve are Sonny's biological uncles and Shane is Will's biological uncle. So, those are out. Also Tony is a DiMera, too.
Tony...now there's an idea...too good for these writers, though.
In my honest opinion I think the John/Paul meets were just a nod to Drake Hogestyn's (John) past career. These writers really don't seem to want to write for him, and he was only brought back begrudgingly by TIIC.