I have built a shield and axe barbarian I enjoy. Human (Variant - Shield Master).
Level 1 Barbarian, Lv 2 Rogue (Expertise Athletics!), Lv3+ Barbarian
Key is being able to Shield Master - Bonus Action Shove prone BEFORE melee attack (check with your DM)
Sets up continual advantage for melee...
Solid start.
I think you are really undervaluing the flexibility / impact of a grapple or shove prone splash
You are maxing str and rage gives advantage on the athletics checks. Your athletic checks will almost automatically succeed
This adds to the strengths of the sword and board build with...
I played this multiclass as a deep gnome in a home brew game.
I would choose array 2
I would get Res Con EARLY as lots of the spells you play are concentration
You keep Diviner Roles to force save or suck/fail spells so stat not as important for ASI. (I never spent an ASI on stat and we played...