I'm about to join a HotDQ campaign (no spoilers please!), and the group is currently level 2 and consists of warlock, life cleric, rogue and monk. The DM said they are specifically looking for a tank. Since there is no aggro mechanic in D&D, I interpret this to mean "a melee character who can take a hit from a big bad".
I'm ok with that, but I'd also like to design something that has some options and appeals to me for playing. I'm currently weighing two options, both dwarves.
One would be a barbarian1/druid 2/followed by rest barbarian (perhaps sneak in two more levels of druid so I don't lose a stat increase - main point is I'd like this to be barb first with a bit of druid, so as not to step on the toes of the cleric). I'd start out at barb1/druid1, and my concerns for this are: 1) being really fragile when not abusing bear form or raging at L3+ (particularly an issue until I hit L3 and actually get wild shape) and 2) wild shape with just a few levels of druid eventually becoming useless (except for perhaps scouting as a spider or mouse). I'm using the std array, so I can't rely on good stats to pump unarmored defense (likely S17 D12 C16 I10 W13 Ch8 after mountain dwarf mods).
As I look at this character, I can't seem to find a way to get a respectable AC, and am worried about durability when not raging. It'd be even worse than a normal barbarian since I can't wear metal armor (perhaps some dragon scale mail that has stats identical to normal scale mail? That + shield with 12 dex would be AC 17)
I like the idea of this character and can come up with a backstory (highland dwarf, son of Stonespeaker, not wise enough to really follow in father's footsteps, trying but prefers just raging and beating on things), and am not worried about squeezing every last ounce of power out, but I don't want to be unable to fulfill my role (designated taker of beatings). Also, bear druids are kinda cheesy but I'd be L3 when I get it, and I could stick to dire wolf form which should really help the monk/rogue as opposed to competing with them.
The other option I'm considering is a bog standard eldritch knight. I'd flavor it as a dwarven warrior with a fascination for the lost art of dwarven 'rune magic' who is slowly deciphering an ancient fragmentary text. Again, I'd have a lacklustre Int, but think I can work around this by sticking mostly to abjuration spells and those that don't need saves/or attack roles. I'm thinking I'd take Heavy Armor Mastery, perhaps Resiliant (Wisdom) and perhaps one other (GWM? Sentinel?) in addition to stat increases. Perhaps Defensive fighting style so I can still use either sword and shield or 2h weapons (depending on situation, or what magic items appear etc). Big concerns here are 1) will low int really gimp me? 2) how will damage output be without many feats behind it? I think this character should be quite durable. Also, a fighter's fondness for short rests should jibe nicely with the warlock and monk, and the spellcasting should help the group since our only other arcane caster is a warlock.
And then there's always the paladin... (sigh)
Anyway, any advice or thoughts are appreciated.
I dont have a lot of experience with the Druid yet.
Dwarf Barbarian with Shield.....this character is a beast from level 1-20. Especially at level 4 if you take Shield Master.
Rage in HOTDQ....you will be set. No spoilers but you'll have time to rest enough without having your pants down from rages per day being used up. Except for the first section, but no spoilers 
The Fighter guide on this forum will go into great detail about the Eldritch Knight. The flavor you've picked out for that character concept is cool but with minimal spoilers, HOTDQ really lacks anything.....dwarven. It is, as you suspect...dragons....dragons....dragons! Having low INT wont kill you.
The paladin is good but not a first pick for HOTDQ, but still good.
Best "Tanking" ability/skill/power/feat in the game right now is polearm master, which works with all three classes. the reason it is so good is it makes you a large roadblock and shuts down enemy movement. It also churns out huge damage. The feat as it stands now is not "broken" but it can be quite insane (and fun) Sentinel works good with it too.
Variant human greatsword weilding avenging paladin with the sentinel feat. Dish out the pain and protect your allies.
Besides taking a big hit, make sure you are proficient with ranged weapons, too. Dragons can fly and have breath weapons; you want to be able to retaliate, not just be a meatshield for somebody else.
You start protecting a fortress, and I'm sure you could "borrow" a bow and arrows for the night - or for the duration - if you ask.
I would say at the very least a level 3 Bear Barbarian. Defense and Protection fighting styles are useful. Shield Master feat can save your butt as well as give you a bonus action to play around with. Paladin's level 6 aura is also rad, though.
Personally I'd recommend Wolf Totem over Bear Totem. Wolf Totem is probably one of the single-most powerful abilities in the game. It straight-up gives advantage to all allies around you, and is always on. This will be an absolutely collosal increase to your group's damage, considering that you have 3 other melee attackers, one of whom is a rogue. Bear Totem is nice, but mundane weapons should still make up the majority of your damage taken anyway, so the loss isn't nearly as huge as the gain.