Agree with your analysis of the situation. I’m pro Trump for sure but that doesn’t mean he has to be the nominee.
My picks would be Cruz, Jindal, Huckabee, Walker, Trump, Carson.. More or less in that order and mixing both merit and electability.
Trump is a big story but so is Jeb as a non starter. He was barely breathing in that debate.
I still haven't met anybody that is for Jeb. I guess they are out there somewhere but I haven't run into any of them.