With the NFL draft set for next week, some collegiate stars are already starting to claim they will show up for the players union’s separate event, not the big NFL event you’re used to seeing on ESPN.

Big mistake.

I understand there is no contract and the players association is upset about it, even telling prospective stars that they should not show up to Radio City Music Hall for the NFL’s big soiree.

How many young athletes dream of the day of having their name read on national television, walking up to the podium in an awesome suit that a college player really can’t afford, hold the jersey up, be photographed and interviewed and be treated like a big shot all day?

I’d say every kid who ever believed he could play in the NFL, which is every one.

The players union is using these players to make a point, make a stand that will try and take away from the league’s marquee event — other than the Super Bowl, of course.

The players association should be worried more about the players in the league now and the players before them, not the incoming players.

The incoming players will get their shot and they are the future of the league, but not right now.

The players union is forgetting that the draft is the NFL’s thing, that guys are being drafted into the league, even during the lockout.

DeMaurice Smith, head of the union, is shortsighted on this point. He is not a former NFL player and does not understand what he’s taking away from these first-round athletes.

The league will want to implement a cap on rookie salaries, which it should as it’s appalling a college player with no professional experience is getting a signing bonus upward of $40 million without even taking a snap.

Again, the veterans are the ones playing for their livelihoods and these higher draft picks come in with more money than most veterans have ever earned in their NFL service.

Most players are in favor of a rookie cap so it’s something the union will agree on, provided all that saved revenue goes somewhere else to benefit the players.

That I would agree with, but Smith has to face the veterans as well as those incoming rookies.

The rookies will not have the big contracts and could actually walk into a training camp — not late like some who hold out — and not face the ire of the veteran players.

Whether the veteran players would accept them if they didn’t show up to Radio City Music Hall for the draft remains up to each player, but I would feel I missed out on something if I shrugged off the league, the league I’ll be playing in when a contract comes back.

I’m sure the NFL will still play up the event, the players union’s shindig might have a few streamers somewhere and a lunch meat and veggie tray, maybe some cookies.

While there is no contract, the NFL would not shortchange these players from their moment in the sun.

If Smith has his way, they very well might.