Should I still use joist hangers when building a deck with all joists on blocks?

I changed the layout of the decking on a free-standing front porch I am building.

Original design: Deck blocks with 4×4 posts under double 2×8 beams. joists to the beams using hangers.

New (lower) design: joists set directly in castle-type deck blocks: no beams, no posts. 18" off the ground.

I could return the hangers and toenail the rim joists directly to the ends of the span joists and cover with skirting.

But I am left wondering if there is still some benefit to using the joist hangers even if the joists aren’t actually "hanging" at all but are supported by the blocks. Such as keeping the joists completely vertical, etc…

Some questioned why set joists on castles – deck is replacing a large cement step set on an even larger cement pad. I demolished the step but cannot demo the pad. Then I realized it is level and sloped already so I can use it as the base. Doing so means I only have 17" total height to work with to keep under the door sill, which meant no room for conventional beam.

Also, this is floating, free-standing construction that is exempt from all permitting where I live – I already checked into that with my zb.