howell was drafted in the fourth round (25th overall) in the 2000 cfl draft by the winnipeg blue bombers. as a rookie in 2000, howell had 258 receiving yards and one touchdown. in 2001, he recorded 307 yards and a touchdown then in 2002 he had 415 yards and a touchdown. howell had 20 catches for 282 yards and recorded the highest touchdown mark of his winnipeg career with two. his final season in winnipeg, he had two catches for 17 yards. he left as a free agent after the 2004 season.