They're not bringing back autos. Not yet, at least. Luke Smith said in an interview that they wanted each weapon to have its time. It'll either be scouts or pulse rifles next that get a slight damage increase, and handcannons will most likely be nerfed (at least the exotics) to match autos.

I don't understand why anything is getting needed period. Buff the guns. I've played a pretty decent amount of crucible and my only perfect game so far was with an auto rifle