Because melee is so weapon dependent, we really need improvements to the base weapons. I feel like the above suggestions would both help with that, and would also give each weapon type some more flavor.
Rares would benefit from some changes to the affixes, particularly Chance to Cast and Charges, which currently are so underpowered that they are often viewed as bas affixes since you’d be better off with other affixes instead.
Crafted Items could benefit from a major overhaul. Currently they seem to be targeted as items to use while playing through the game, but no one is willing to use them for that purpose. Instead, the only recipes that are used are either for best in slot (like Caster Amulets) or for “good enough” end game gear to use while looking for better items (ie Blood Gloves, Blood Belt, Caster Belt).