Random Thought: Change Rattan to Melee Armor?

Was rewatching SOTL vids and started thinking about the Rattan Archer--Between the buffed Arbalest & Imperial Skirmisher, it's in a weird place (as far as I can tell)

So just a random thought--how would things have changed if Rattan Archers had been given Extra Melee Armor instead of Extra Piece armor?

--Would you have preferred it?

--Do you think it woulda been possible to balance?

--How MUCH Melee Armor should they have had?

--How would you have used Melee Armor Rattans?

--Would they have worked well with Imperial Skirms?

From a Noob to the Pros: thanks for all the insight.