Honestly and I've played all tanks i'm even about to hit 60 on my DRK. Paladin is my favorite tank and is actually the funnest to play for me. A good part of it comes from them having my favorite set of weapons the sword and shield. I like the idea of being the person who is supposed to be protector of the party. I don't think they are mundane they are just a more basic class. This can be changed through more active abilities in combat. But maybe while damage might be an issue if we are supposed to be a more support tank why not give us more support tools? Divine Veil was a good start but why not give us a party wide damage mitigation? Something that could be applied maybe after you take enough hits gives the party members a 5% dmg reduction.

Maybe have it so you have to keep it up through aggro combos and it doesn't have to be party wide. I could be an aura I saw people talking about an aura in the threads already. These auras could again be based on combos or usage of pre-existing abilities. We could tie them in with the oaths you have shield oath on? 5% damage reduction around you or party wide. Sword oath? give that 50 potency to the party or as an aura again. Cover could be better too if it allows you to take physical damage in place of an ally why not give it a 15% magic damage reduction too?

These are all Ideas, it's up to SE to figure out what works best. You have some valid points but some I do not agree on. We should be more unique but I do not think our class is mundane. Anyways hope that made sense.