On the campaigns I DMed I've had my players go through several quests that involved protecting an ally or an object in combat. So I made this homebrew Action for them. Now that I'm between campaigns, I've decided to try and refine this Action for the new rules, trying to make sure it's balanced and doesn't break the game.

The goal of this Action is: 1- allow for the "tank" role to exist, at all, and 2- add a tactical choice to protect something that makes spacial and narrative sense.

(edited to add feedback)

Protect [Action]

You focus on defending a creature or object you can see within 5 feet of you that is your Size or smaller. Every attack targeting said creature targets you instead until the start of your next turn, until you have the Incapacitated, Blind or Prone condition, your Speed becomes 0, are more than 5 feet away from the protected creature, or until you stop protecting them, no action required.

I have also made an alternate version based on the one proposed by u/a24marvel. I'm not yet sure which one I like best.

You focus on defending a creature or object you can see within 5 feet of you that is your Size or smaller. While a creature or object being defended is within 5 feet of you, it has Three-Quarters Cover until the start of your next turn, until you have the Incapacitated, Blind or Prone condition, your Speed becomes 0, or until you stop protecting them, no action required. If the creature you are defending moves, you can use your Reaction to move along with them up to your Speed.

Does anyone have any thoughts in how to improve this?