What's your source on this? From medscape (emphasis mine): "First-line therapy for non-high risk venous thromboembolism or pulmonary embolism consists of direct oral anticoagulants (dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban) over vitamin K antagonists."
As to why warfarin might still be chosen over a NOAC, NOACs have no reversal agent and are much more expensive. Also, warfarin has a longer half-life and could be preferred for non-compliant patients that occasionally miss doses. And, of course, some docs are just comfortable with what they know -- warfarin does have a long-established track record of success.