Cowboys must pursue this free agent after Jerry Jones' post-draft comment

The order was wildly unpredictable, but the Dallas Cowboys addressed most of their needs in the 2023 NFL Draft. Perhaps the biggest surprises were that they didn't draft a quarterback, focused heavily on the defense and didn't come away with a kicker.

Speaking of the latter, the Cowboys still don't have a kicker in place for 2023. Jerry Jones essentially confirmed after last season that Brett Maher wouldn't be back after set an NFL record by missing four extra points in Dallas' playoff win against the Buccaneers.

Maher was a top-five kicker during the regular season, but the Cowboys can't trust a kicker who gets the yips on the big stage. It's already hard enough to make it to the Super Bowl. They can't be held back by their special teams.

So, where does Dallas go from here? Jones noted after the draft that the team will most likely target a veteran. It's unclear who that might be, but former longtime 49er Robbie Gould feels like the obvious answer.

Will the Cowboys sign Robbie Gould after the 2023 NFL Draft?

Gould informed the 49ers this offseason he was moving on and he's still looking for a new home. Any door leading to a potential reunion was slammed shut after the 49ers used a third-round pick on Michigan kicker Jake Moody.

Moody was mentioned as a potential Cowboys target, but the team seemingly wasn't going to take him earlier than the seventh round.

That brings us back to Gould, who's been absolute nails in the postseason in his career. In fact, he's a perfect 29-for-29 on field goals and 39-for-39 on extra points.

The Cowboys experienced this first-hand the last two seasons, as Gould made all three field goal attempts and both of his extra points in the 2021 matchup. Fast forward to 2022 and the 40-year-old went 4-for-4 on field goals and drilled his only point after.

Imagine the Cowboys having that in their back pocket come playoff time? That's 24 points accounted for in two playoff games. It would've been enough to win either matchup, as Dallas' offense sputtered in both matchups.

The fact that level of kicker is still kicking around in free agency is mind-blowing. Gould might cost more than Jerry Jones would normally be comfortable giving to a kicker, which might explain why he's still unsigned. As much as he might want to, the owner can't have his cake and eat it too in this scenario.

For better, the Maher era is over. If Jones wants to not worry about the kicker position come playoff time, he needs to pay up for Gould.