See I don't find Boromir in the Fellowship a mistake, but what was actually ment to happen.
If we look at the Fellowship we see it's built on friends, Gandalf believing that friendship would be much better to get through the quest then powerful elf-lords that Elrond proposed. But in that there comes a lack in strength with the Fellowship.
You got four hobbits, an old man, and an elf, with two men and a dwarf. We see Boromir's strength step up when the Fellowship needs it most (Caradhras and Sarn Gebir). Without Boromir I don't see the Fellowship getting through Caradhras, he helps Aragorn carry the Hobbits, and on top of that he plows a passage way through the snow for everyone. Then he (with Aragorn) steers the boats through Sarn Gebir. So, if anything we see that he's ment to be in the Fellowship for his strength.
But, I think there's more to it than that, Boromir's there to cause what is MENT to happen, which is the break-up of the Fellowship. Frodo knows he has to leave, but he can't commit to it, and it's Boromir trying to take the Ring that gets Frodo nudged over the edge and realize "I need to get out of here, before this breaks the Fellowship."
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Fenris Penguin
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